{"id":2330114,"date":"2024-08-23T15:17:01","date_gmt":"2024-08-23T19:17:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-york-city-can-save-42m-by-merging-local-elections-report-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-08-23T15:20:26","modified_gmt":"2024-08-23T19:20:26","slug":"new-york-city-can-save-42m-by-merging-local-elections-report-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-york-city-can-save-42m-by-merging-local-elections-report-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"New York City can save $42M by merging local elections: Report &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fnew-york-city-can-save-42m-by-merging-local-elections-report-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2330114&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A recent report \u200dby \u200bNew\u200d York&#8217;s Independent Budget \u200cOffice suggests that the city could \u200bsave up\u2062 to $42 million by moving\u200d local elections\u200d to even-numbered years to \u2064coincide \u200bwith federal and state elections. The analysis indicates that the costs of conducting elections in even-numbered years would not significantly differ, as the necessary infrastructure is already in place. Historical data shows that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mississippi-tightens-up-its-elections-with-ban-on-zuckbucks\/\" title=\"Mississippi Tightens Up Its Elections With Ban On Zuckbucks\">election-related expenses<\/a> for\u200d the last five <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/virginia-dems-say-holding-an-election-for-loudoun-school-board-this-year-would-subvert-democracy\/\" title=\"Virginia Dems Say Holding An Election For Loudoun School Board This Year Would \u2018Subvert Democracy\u2019\">odd-numbered years<\/a> ranged \u2064between $15 million and $63 million, averaging around $42 million. Voting rights advocates argue that this change would not only save money but\u2062 also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/how-biden-is-trying-to-turn-election-offices-into-partisan-get-out-the-vote-operations\/\" title=\"How Biden Is Trying To Turn Election Offices Into Partisan Get Out The Vote Operations\">boost voter turnout<\/a>, which has been\u2064 notably low in\u2063 local elections. For example, turnout in last year\u2019s New\u2063 York City Council race was as low as\u2062 13%. Betsy Gotbaum from Citizens Union emphasized that aligning municipal elections\u200b with those of larger elections is both\u2062 a democratic necessity and a \u2064wise fiscal\u200c strategy, as it would likely lead to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/vote-by-mail-for-midterms-already-beginning-in-illinois\/\" title=\"Vote by Mail for Midterms Already Beginning in Illinois\">increased voter participation<\/a> and a more representative electorate.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">New York City can save $42M by merging local elections: Report<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1736790\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &mdash; New York City could save taxpayers tens of millions of dollars by moving local elections to even-numbered years to align with federal and state elections, according to a new report.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>New York&rsquo;s Independent Budget Office report found that the city could save up to $42 million by making the switch. It concluded that the costs to run elections on even years won&rsquo;t significantly change &ldquo;as the infrastructure for conducting elections would already be in place and paid for in these years.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Overall, the election-related costs for the previous five odd-year local elections range from $15 million in 2016 up to $63 million in 2022, averaging $42 million, according to the report&rsquo;s authors.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Even if IBO excludes 2016, for which there was only one primary election compared with two in most other years, the average for the other four years is $48 million,&rdquo; they wrote.<\/p>\n<p>Voting rights groups, which have pushed for the changes for years, said the data shows that switching local elections to even-numbered years would save money and boost voter turnout.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The findings from the Independent Budget Office further validate what we at Citizens Union have championed: moving our municipal elections to even-numbered years in New York City is not only a democratic imperative but also a smart fiscal decision,&rdquo; Betsy Gotbaum, executive director of Citizens Union, said in a statement. &ldquo;The potential savings of $42 million every other year are significant, but the true value lies in the increased voter turnout and more representative electorate that such a move would foster.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Data from Citizens Union shows that voter turnout in local elections last year ranged from a low of 13% in a New York City Council race in the Bronx to 33% for a mayoral race in the upstate city of Troy. Meanwhile, the 2022 gubernatorial race saw a turnout of nearly 60% in Albany, Monroe and Onondaga counties.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Presidential election cycles generally result in an 18% increase in voter turnout, according to the Pew Research Center. Governor&rsquo;s races net the second-highest participation from voters, Pew said in a recent report.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;New York City&rsquo;s current election schedule is a relic of a bygone era that does not serve the needs of our diverse and dynamic city,&rdquo; Gotbaum said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s time we align our local elections with those that already draw higher voter engagement.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>In 2023, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill that requires some county and town elections to move to even-numbered years, aligning them with the state and federal election cycle. She said the move will expand access to the ballot box and promote &ldquo;a more inclusive democracy.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The change didn&rsquo;t apply to county races for clerks, sheriffs, district attorneys, as well as city and village elections, which are required by the state Constitution to be held in odd-numbered years, but Hochul has expressed her support for a proposed constitutional amendment that would align elections for all offices.<\/p>\n<p>That prompted a sharp rebuke from Republican county leaders, who argued that it would result in municipal and county races being overshadowed by state and federal elections.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;At a time when we should be keeping the divisiveness at the federal and state levels out of our local communities, this bill does the opposite, burying the local issues that impact New Yorkers&rsquo; daily lives at the back of exceedingly long ballots,&rdquo; Stephen Acquario, executive director of the New York State Association of Counties, said in a recent statement.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1736790\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1736790\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>New York City could potentially save $42 million by shifting local elections to even-numbered years, aligning them with federal and state elections, as indicated by a recent report from the Independent Budget Office. The report suggests that the costs associated with conducting elections in even years would not significantly increase since the necessary infrastructure would already be established and funded during those times. Over the past five odd-year local elections, expenses ranged from $15 million in 2016 to $63 million in 2022, averaging around $42 million. Even when excluding 2016\u2014which had only one primary election\u2014the average for the other four years was still about $48 million.<\/p>\n<p>Voting rights advocates have long supported this change, arguing that it would not only reduce costs but also enhance voter participation. Betsy Gotbaum, executive director of Citizens Union, stated that moving municipal elections to even-numbered years is both a democratic necessity and a wise financial choice. She emphasized that while saving $42 million every two years is significant, the greater benefit lies in fostering higher voter turnout and creating a more representative electorate.<\/p>\n<p>Data from Citizens Union revealed last year&#8217;s local election turnout varied widely\u2014from just 13% for a New York City Council race in the Bronx to 33% for a mayoral race in Troy\u2014while nearly 60% participated in the gubernatorial race across several counties. According to Pew Research Center findings, presidential election cycles typically see an increase of about 18% in voter turnout.<\/p>\n<p>Gotbaum criticized New York City&#8217;s current election schedule as outdated and unresponsive to its diverse population&#8217;s needs. She called for alignment with higher-engagement elections already taking place.<\/p>\n<p>In response to these issues, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation requiring some county and town elections to move to even-numbered years alongside state and federal races\u2014aiming to improve access at polling places and promote inclusivity within democracy. However, this change does not extend to certain county positions or city\/village races mandated by state law to occur during odd-numbered years; Hochul has shown support for amending this constitutional requirement.<\/p>\n<p>This proposal has faced opposition from Republican county leaders who argue it risks overshadowing local issues amid larger state and federal contests on lengthy ballots\u2014a concern echoed by Stephen Acquario of the New York State Association of Counties who believes it could exacerbate divisiveness within communities rather than alleviate it<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2330115,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/iStock-1451754716-1024x683.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[39113,39114,37456,36462,32076],"class_list":["post-2330114","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-cost-savings","tag-government-efficiency","tag-local-elections","tag-new-york-city","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/iStock-1451754716-1024x683.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2330114","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2330114"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2330114\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2330115"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2330114"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2330114"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2330114"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}