A legal battle in New York has culminated in a significant ruling that could reshape the state's electoral landscape for years to come.
According to Times Union, State Supreme Court Justice Gerard J. Neri has struck down New York's Even Year Election Law, deeming it unconstitutional. The law, which aimed to move many local elections to even-numbered years, was found to violate the state constitution and infringe upon counties' authority to schedule their own elections.
The ruling comes in response to a consolidated lawsuit brought by a group of voters, several towns, and Republican county executives from multiple counties. Justice Neri's decision emphasizes that the law contradicts the state constitution and potentially undermines local governance and voter engagement.
The Even Year Election Law, championed by Democrats in the state legislature and signed by Governor Kathy Hochul in December, sought to align local elections with higher-profile races for governor, president, and Congress. Proponents argued that this would increase voter turnout and streamline the electoral process.
However, Justice Neri's ruling highlights several constitutional and practical issues with the law. He noted that it conflicts with the state constitution's provisions for county officer elections and the principle of home rule, which grants local governments the right to determine their own rules, including election timing.
The overturning of the law has significant political implications, exacerbating the partisan divide over election reform in New York. Democrats had framed the law as a means to enhance voter participation and simplify the electoral calendar. However, Republicans viewed it as a partisan maneuver to gain an advantage in local elections.
State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt expressed this sentiment, stating:
The touted benefits of this bill are a total sham, concocted to hide the Democrats' goal of expanding one-party control to every level of government.
Justice Neri's ruling delved into both constitutional and practical aspects of the Even Year Election Law. He cited previous opinions from the state attorney general and decisions by the Court of Appeals that support counties' authority over local government structures and elections.
The judge also raised concerns about the law's potential to cause voter confusion and reduce participation in down-ballot races. He provided an example from the 2022 gubernatorial race in the town of DeWitt, where a significant number of voters did not cast ballots for a local proposition, illustrating the potential for important local issues to be overshadowed in combined elections.
The ruling has elicited strong reactions from various stakeholders. Chris Koetzle, executive director of the Association of Towns, hailed the decision as a victory for local governments, stating:
This is a huge victory for local governments across the state. We have always believed in the importance of local elections and we are very pleased with this court's decision. Local government officials deserve local elections and that's what's best for all communities in (New York).
This statement reflects the sentiment among many local officials who viewed the law as an encroachment on their authority and the unique character of local elections.
The court's decision to overturn New York's Even Year Election Law marks a significant moment in the state's ongoing debate over election reform. The ruling upholds the constitutional principle of home rule and maintains the current system of odd-year local elections.
This outcome underscores the complex balance between state-level election reform efforts and the constitutional protections for local governance, setting the stage for potential further legal and legislative actions in the realm of New York's electoral system.
