In a significant ruling on Tuesday, a state Supreme Court justice in Onondaga County declared New York’s Even Year Election Law unconstitutional, asserting that the statute undermined the state’s legal framework and counties’ authority to schedule local elections. The court’s decision highlighted that the law overstepped boundaries, infringing upon local governments’ power to determine election terms.
Initially enacted to boost voter turnout by aligning local elections with more prominent races for governor, president, and Congress, the Even Year Election Law was championed by Democratic lawmakers and signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul in December. The law aimed to synchronize local elections with these higher-profile contests, which historically draw larger voter participation.
However, the legislation faced immediate backlash from various groups, including individual voters, towns, and Republican county executives from several counties, including Onondaga, Rockland, Orange, Dutchess, Rensselaer, Nassau, and Oneida. These challenges were consolidated into a single case reviewed by Justice Gerard J. Neri.
Proponents of the law claimed it would reduce voter confusion and enhance overall participation. They emphasized that synchronizing local and federal elections would facilitate the voting process and allow New Yorkers to exercise their electoral rights more effectively. Conversely, opponents contended that the law served a more partisan agenda, favoring Democratic candidates, who historically perform better in even-year elections.
Justice Neri’s 26-page ruling underscored the authority granted to counties by the New York constitution and previous judicial opinions. He pointed out that the Even Year Election Law could lead to ballot confusion and ultimately reduce voter engagement in down-ballot races. For instance, during the 2022 gubernatorial election in DeWitt, over 780 voters neglected to participate in a local ballot initiative, raising concerns about the effectiveness of combining these elections.
The court’s decision also drew attention to New York’s Municipal Home Rule Law, which empowers counties to govern their own electoral processes. Onondaga County officials argued that the Even Year Election Law did not uniformly apply across the state, as not all counties have elected executives, thus deeming it unconstitutional.
In defense of the law, Governor Hochul and the state attorney general’s office contended that it represented a “general law” and fell within their jurisdiction to enact. They claimed that it merely standardized election procedures without infringing on local governance.
However, Justice Neri pointed out that the law failed to consolidate all election types, leaving out significant local offices such as sheriff, district attorney, and judgeship positions. This inconsistency raised equal protection concerns, particularly regarding urban voters in New York City, where odd-year elections still apply.
Historically, the New York constitution’s amendment in 1958 recognized home rule, empowering local governments to dictate their election schedules. Despite the original intentions of the Even Year Election Law, its repeal has been hailed as a victory for local governance by organizations such as the New York State Association of Counties and the Association of Towns, both of which opposed the legislation.
Chris Koetzle, executive director of the Association of Towns, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, highlighting the critical role of local elections and the court’s affirmation of their importance in maintaining the integrity of local governance.