Appeals court upholds New York law shifting local elections to even-numbered years
A New York State appeals court has upheld a contentious law that moves numerous local elections to even-numbered years, aligning them with state and federal contests. The decision represents a significant victory for Democrats, who have championed the change as a way to boost voter participation in down-ballot races. Republicans, however, have criticised the move as an unconstitutional power play that could unfairly tilt the political landscape in their opponents’ favour.
The law, passed in 2022 by the Democratic-controlled legislature and signed by Governor Kathy Hochul, mandates that elections for key local offices—such as county executives, legislators, clerks, and town officials—be held during years when national and statewide races are also on the ballot. Proponents argue that coupling local contests with higher-profile elections will increase turnout and voter engagement, especially in smaller communities where off-year elections have historically seen low participation.
On Wednesday, a panel of judges from the Appellate Division of the state Supreme Court issued a ruling allowing the law to stand. The decision reverses a lower court’s 2023 judgement, which had declared the law unconstitutional and attempted to halt its implementation until the 2027 election cycle.
In its ruling, the appeals court stated that the legislation does not infringe upon the state constitution and that the concerns raised by Republican challengers did not merit postponing the law’s enforcement. “The State has a legitimate interest in promoting electoral participation,” the court wrote, “and the mechanism chosen here—consolidating election dates—has a rational basis and is not expressly prohibited by the Constitution.”
The verdict clears the path for the law to take effect starting with the 2025 election calendar, though its full impact will not be felt until the 2026 general elections. New York City’s elections remain exempt from the measure, as the city operates under a separate legal framework.
Republican officials have expressed dismay at the ruling, with several county leaders warning that it could erode local control and politicise traditionally nonpartisan offices. “This is nothing more than a naked partisan attempt to change the rules of the game,” said State Republican Chairman Ed Cox in a statement. “Local races will now be drowned out by big-money campaigns at the top of the ticket.”
Cox also hinted at a possible appeal to the state’s highest court, the Court of appeals, though it remains unclear whether further legal challenges would succeed. “We are exploring all legal options to protect the integrity of local elections and prevent albany from imposing its will on every town and county,” he added.
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Democrats have dismissed the partisan accusations, arguing that higher turnout benefits democracy regardless of party. “The goal here is simple: more voters, more participation, more accountability,” said State Senator James Skoufis, a Democrat who co-sponsored the bill. “If your ideas are strong, they should be able to compete in any election cycle.”
Voting rights groups have largely supported the measure, pointing to research that shows synchronised elections lead to greater civic engagement and more representative outcomes. A 2020 study from the University of California, for example, found that shifting municipal elections to coincide with state and federal ones can double or even triple voter turnout in some jurisdictions.
While the legal debate may not be over, Wednesday’s ruling marks a key step in reshaping how local democracy functions across New York State. With the green light from the appeals court, election officials will now begin preparing for a new electoral calendar—one that its backers hope will bring more voters to the polls and opponents fear could alter the political equilibrium.
