By Dan Murphy
New York’s Even-Year Election Law, enacted in December 2023 as part of the state budget and signed by Governor Kathy Hochul, shifts most local elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years. The primary goal is to align these elections with state and federal races (held in even years), which typically see much higher voter turnout—often 50-60% compared to 20-30% in odd-year local elections. This consolidation aims to boost participation, reduce municipal costs, and make voting more convenient by minimizing “voter fatigue” from annual polls.
For Westchester, this means that Town governments that just held elections and have two-year terms will have to run again in 2026. And all members of the County Board of Legislators will also have to run again next year. The County Executive has a four-year term, so Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins, after appearing on the ballot twice in 2025, will not have to run again, and the County Clerk and District Attorney also will not have to run again.
Proponents argue it promotes a “more inclusive and representative democracy” by encouraging broader participation, especially from underserved communities. Studies from other states show that even-year alignment can increase local election turnout by 10-20 percentage points.
The law faced lawsuits from over 20 counties (mostly Republican-led, such as Onondaga, Nassau, and Rockland), claiming it violated home rule provisions in the state constitution that allow local governments to set their own structures and election timing through charters. A lower court in Onondaga County initially blocked it in late 2024, ruling that shortening terms infringed on local control.
In May 2025, the Appellate Division (Fourth Department) unanimously reversed the decision, deeming the law a valid “general law” applicable statewide, justified by the state’s interest in higher turnout.
In October 2025, the New York Court of Appeals (the state’s highest court) upheld the ruling, confirming the law’s constitutionality and rejecting claims of free speech, due process, or equal protection violations.
The law is now fully implemented, with the 2025 elections serving as the bridge to even-year cycles starting in 2026.
One of the benefits supporters of the law cite is cost savings from fewer elections. What will those cost savings be to the Westchester taxpayer?
Opponents worry about “ballot overcrowding,” in which local races are overshadowed by national ones, and argue that it overrides local voter-approved charters.
Marina Pino, counsel in the elections and government program at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law, had the following comment:
“This ruling is a major victory for New York voters. Voter turnout drops sharply in odd-numbered years, especially among young voters and voters of color. Shifting to an even-year election cycle will encourage more New Yorkers to participate in local democracy, making elections far more inclusive and representative.
“Voting in New York should be convenient and accessible. This law is a vital step in that direction.
Another lawsuit against the even-year law has been filed in Federal Court by several Republican parties in New York State.
County Executive Ken Jenkins said, “The Court of Appeals’ unanimous decision to uphold New York’s even-year election law is a smart and practical step forward. Moving local elections to even-numbered years will strengthen voter participation and reduce costs.
“This decision helps increase voter participation by aligning local races with state and federal elections and saves taxpayers money by reducing the number of election cycles.
“New York stood up and ensured that more voices are heard, more residents are engaged, and more communities are represented. It’s about making government more efficient, more inclusive, and more responsive to the people we serve.
“It’s a win for taxpayers, a win for democracy, and a smart step forward for New York.”
Chris Koetzle, executive director of the New York Association of Towns, expressed disappointment over the decision. “We believe that what this does is relegates local issues and local elections behind national and state issues,” Koetzle said.
For Republicans in Yorktown, Harrison, Eastchester, Mt. Pleasant, North Castle, Bedford, and other Towns with at least some republican representation, they will have to return to the voters in 2026 during a Governor’s race, which will likely see Democrat Kathy Hochul against Republican Elyse Stefanik, and again during a Presidential year of 2028.
Pelham, Somers, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Greenburgh, and Bedford are other towns impacted.
It was hard to find someone willing to cross over party lines on this issue. Gina Arena, republican candidate for State Senate in Northern Westchester and Putnam, called the law, “Absurd is the Word! There is no good idea here! The only idea is another power play by the Democrats! No money is being saved. There will still be elections for other offices in odd years! Wake up, everyone.”
For example, under the new law, the 2025 election for Yorktown Town Supervisor was held as scheduled, but the Supervisor’s term will be calculated as if the Supervisor had been elected in 2024. In effect, the Supervisor elected in 2025 will serve a one-year term and will be up for election in 2026. This will also be the case in other Westchester towns where their Supervisor just ran in 2025.
In contrast, Yorktown Town Councilmembers serve four-year terms. The terms of those Town Council members elected in 2025 will similarly be treated under the new law as if they were elected in 2024, but, since they have four-year terms, their seats would be next up for election in 2028
Republican State Senate leader Rob Ortt said, “Moving local elections to even years is something not a single New Yorker asked for. Albany Democrats’ assault on local elections will bury any chance local candidates and officials have at getting their important messages out, and it is a blatant attempt to rig elections in Democrats’ favor.”
NY Conservative Party Chair Gerard Kassar said the law “defies logic as well as any meaningful efforts to provide citizens with the ability to focus on what will be an overwhelming number of dissimilar issues,” calling it a “clearly political action by the democratically controlled state government.” He said the law is a “clearly political action by the Democratically controlled state government.”
The new lawsuit filed in Federal Court argues that voters would have no choice but to mindlessly rely on party labels or cues from the most prominent races at the top of the ticket, rather than a genuine examination of local candidates during campaign season. William Brewer III, lead counsel for the plaintiffs, called the law “an attempt to drown local voices, burden political speech, and erode the connection between voters and their local governments.”
On the Westchester Board of Legislators, only Republican legislator James Nolan could be negatively affected by the even-year law. “I strongly oppose the move to shift our local elections to even-numbered years. Local elections should be about local issues, not drowned out by the noise of state and federal campaigns. This change isn’t about increasing participation — it’s about increasing control. Voter turnout may rise in raw numbers, but the focus on local government will fade. Our residents deserve the chance to make thoughtful, informed decisions about their county government without the distractions of presidential and congressional politics. Last month’s election made one thing clear: I am still the ONLY Republican on the Westchester County Board of Legislators — and heading into next year, I will be the #1 target for those who want to flip District 15 and silence our voice,” said Nolan.
The only Westchester Town government with an ALL-Republican Board and Supervisor is Eastchester. The New York Post reported on this, featuring Eastchester Supervisor Tony Colavita.
(https://nypost.com/2025/11/17/us-news/inside-the-last-gop-stronghold-in-nycs-liberal-northern-suburbs-as-it-stays-all-red-in-a-sea-of-blue/)
“Town Supervisor Anthony Colavita cited a pro-police philosophy and fighting to keep taxes low… “We don’t bite on the political social issue of the day. When wokeism was rampant, and DEI, and defunding the cops and all that stuff were all going on…We couldn’t care less about that. We were all about continuing traditional values in Eastchester. Like supporting the police. Keeping Eastchester safe.”
The story goes on to note that Colavita and his Republican town council members ran unopposed this year, with no Democrats stepping forward. The last time democrats ran a candidate against Colavita was in 2021.
But with the even year law, it appears that democrats are ready to try again, with Eastchester Democratic Chair John Filiberti and Westchester Democratic Chair Suzane Berger commenting in the post story that Colavita “may be busy next November”, and
Berger adding “If by ‘woke,’ the Supervisor means Democrats deplore the president’s cutoff of SNAP benefits from 42 million Americans, so be it,” a reference to President Trump, who democrats have used in their campaigns against Westchester republicans since 2017.
The Village of Tuckahoe, within the Town of Eastchester, has a majority of democrats on its board, so a challenge to Colavita may come from there.
Rob Astorino was the last Westchester Republican to win a countywide race, and Somers is the only town with a Republican majority of voters.
Harrison and Yorktown are other towns where democrats have made inroads. North Castle already has a majority of Dems on the board.
The Republican federal lawsuit claims that the even-year law is violating New Yorkers’ First Amendment rights. We see that as a stretch; the new law may make it more difficult and expensive to get a message out during a Presidential race.
The question is, will the even-year law speed up the process of republican decline in Westchester?
County republicans and supporters of Colavita have mixed views. Some told us, “We are so happy that Tony stepped up and told it like it is. That’s why we love Eastchester.”
To others who told us, “That NY Post story put a target on Tony’s back.”
