BPHA CAUCUS JOINED PRO-DEMOCRACY LEGISLATORS & ADVOCATES IN URGING GOVERNOR TO SIGN EVEN-YEAR ELECTIONS BILL

From left to right. Caucus Chair Solages stands with a Generation Vote representative, Susan Lerner from Common Cause NY, Brennan Center for Justice representative, Senator Robert Jackson, Senator James Skoufis, and Perry Grossman from NYCLU.

BPHA Caucus issues letter of support in favor of even year elections

NEW YORK, NY - This week, the members of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus led by Chair Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, (D-Nassau) joined Senator James Skoufis (D-Orange County), organizations, and voting rights advocates in a united call of support for S.3505B (Skoufis) / A.4282 (Paulin). The legislation, having secured passage in both the Senate and Assembly for the first time since its introduction nearly a decade ago, now awaits action by the Governor. If signed, it would consolidate most town and county elections from odd-year schedules to even-year schedules, synchronizing those local races with state and federal contests, helping to drive voter turnout and leading to more representative governments at all levels.

At its core, the legislation aims to address the alarming trend of low voter turnout in local elections, where as few as 20% of citizens currently participate, primarily due to the low-profile nature of many races, election confusion, and voter fatigue. The bill would leverage even-year, higher-turnout races to ensure far more citizens have a voice in choosing their county executives, county legislators, town supervisors, and councilmembers.

A small number of offices with terms defined by the state’s constitution – some judges, county sheriff, county clerk, and district attorney – are necessarily omitted from the legislation. Skoufis will soon be introducing a constitutional amendment to move these offices to an even-year schedule which would completely eliminate the need for odd-year county and town elections; such an outcome would result in substantial savings to taxpayers.

A June 2023 Siena poll revealed that pluralities of Republicans, Democrats, and unaffiliated voters believe moving most local elections to even-numbered years will be good for New York. This widespread support of the electorate in nearly every corner of the state demonstrates that a simple solution to abysmal voter turnout for key local races exists, and voters are clamoring for it.

"As representatives of diverse communities within the state, the Caucus is dedicated to ensuring that every New Yorker has the opportunity to exercise their right to vote and participate in democracy. By streamlining the election process and aligning it with a period of heightened civic activity, we will strengthen voter engagement and empower disadvantaged communities to select accountable representation on the local level. There is no doubt that this legislation is a positive win for democracy and for the people." said Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages, BPHA Legislative Caucus Chair.

"Our democracy depends on engaged voters," said Senator Zellnor Y. Myrie, chair of the Senate Elections Committee and Caucus Vice Chair. "Holding more local elections in even years will increase participation and ensure more New Yorkers' voices are heard."

“Local officials have a direct impact on our communities yet, year after year, a select few are choosing leadership for the many,” said Senator James Skoufis, bill sponsor. “There is a heap of evidence demonstrating that consolidating local elections with federal races will not only significantly increase voter participation, but also foster a more inclusive, representative democracy.”

"Shifting local elections to even years in New York State is a crucial step toward strengthening our democracy. Studies show voters are more likely to participate in the electoral process in even-numbered years when federal and state candidates are on the ballot. This would further empower diverse communities and alleviate the financial burden on taxpayers. As a former social studies teacher, I was committed to instilling the values of civic engagement in the students I taught. It is disheartening to observe, as a society, we seem to be failing to uphold the very principles we teach our youth." said, Senator Monica R. Martinez. chair of the Senate Local Government Committee.

“New York’s current election schedule has dramatically impacted our state’s voter turnout, especially for young voters and voters of color, whose turnout declines by more than 50 percent in odd-year elections,” said Perry Grossman, Director of the Voting Rights Project at the New York Civil Liberties Union. “By making it easier for a larger, more diverse electorate to vote, this bill will strengthen our democracy and hold our local elected officials accountable. Governor Hochul must sign this into law immediately.”

"In the wake of strikingly low voter turnout in this year's general election, it is clear that we must take bold and transformational steps to enhance civic participation,” said Betsy Gotbaum, Executive Director of Citizens Union. “Moving our local elections to even-numbered years is the easiest way to increase voter participation. Consolidating elections is a simple yet effective change that will enhance local democracy and lead to an electorate that is more reflective of the diversity of our state. We urge Governor Hochul to sign S3505B/ A4282B into law."

“Voter turnout in New York’s odd-year local elections is dismal. Experience across the country shows that moving these elections to even years stands to significantly increase turnout, particularly in underrepresented communities, and promote a more representative electorate. We hope that this legislation will be just the first step toward bringing more voters into the political process across the state at every level of government that serves them. The Brennan Center commends the bill’s sponsors for advancing this legislation to strengthen local democracy across New York State and urges Governor Hochul to sign it into law without delay.” said Joanna Zdanys, Senior Counsel, Elections and Government, Brennan Center for Justice.

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LIVESTREAM RECORDING HERE:

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