In a major ruling with statewide impact, the New York State Court of Appeals has upheld a law requiring that many local elections—including those for county and town offices—be held in even-numbered years, coinciding with state and federal elections.
The legislation, championed by state lawmakers in 2023, was designed to increase voter turnout by consolidating local races with higher-profile election cycles. However, critics argue the change undermines local control and drowns out community issues amid national politics.
Following the court’s decision, Rockland County Executive Ed Day issued a statement sharply criticizing the ruling, saying it “politically compromises the election law and renders our constitutional right to home rule impotent.”
“Home rule is the foundation of our democracy — the ability of local communities to govern themselves,” Day said. “It is a sad day for every municipality in New York that values independence, accountability, and the voice of its residents.”
Under the new law, most county and town offices that were previously elected in odd-numbered years will now appear on even-year ballots beginning in 2026, aligning them with races for governor, president, and other statewide positions. Local officials across New York—including many in Rockland County—have expressed concern that this shift will politicize local governance and reduce voter attention to community-specific issues.
Oh but there is something to be said for the vast monies saved by consolidating the elections to be held at the same time as state and federal elections. The administrative costs of hosting elections is a large and staggering figure.