The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
TAKING A STAND
Local officials oppose state election laws
A number of local officials are urging New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul to veto proposed legislation that they say will effectively cancel local elections.
During a last-minute vote at the end of the legislature’s most recent session, state lawmakers passed a bill was many would move many town and county elections in the state to even-numbered years. This would synchronize the local races with those taking place at the state and federal levels.
“This self-serving proposal is another attempt by the legislative majorities and the governor to further cement one-party control of state government and to take away more local control like they did with the of siting energy projects in communities and tried to do by dictating where housing would be located,” state Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-crome, said.
Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. recently wrote to Hochul regarding this legislation. He said he is concerned these laws mandate that local elections of any county or town official, with the exception of constitutionally-elected officers such as county clerks, district attorneys, and sheriffs take place in even-numbered years.
The laws pertain to elections held outside of New York City.
“I am writing to strongly oppose this legislation’s enactment into law,” Picente said. “The stated intent of this legislation is to in
“The stated intent of this legislation is to increase voter turnout in local elections, as traditionally, even number years have higher rates due to the interest in federal and state elections. That couldn’t be further from the truth.”
— Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente
crease voter turnout in local elections, as traditionally, even number years have higher rates due to the interest in federal and state elections. That couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Picente said the proposed legislation, if signed into law, would hand the power of local governments and the wishes of local voters who elected them back to the state.
“Regardless of the turnout issue, this legislation violates constitutionally-protected home rule powers by pre-empting county charter, local law and local referendum powers by by forcing a change to the term of an elected official,” Picente said.
“The narrow scope of this bill, which only impacts county executives, county board of legislators, county board of supervisors and town offices usurps the home rule authority of local governments to establish governance structure that is best suited to their community,” he continued.
Elections for offices such as county clerk, sheriff, district attorneys and local judges would continue to be held in odd-numbered years as required by the state Constitution.
“I have two major concerns,” Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, D-119, said. “First, local elections should not be dominated by state and national elections. Second, too many changes too fast for the system and voters will have negative consequences. If the goal is to get more folks out to vote, let’s be sure the voter has the utmost confidence in the system.”
Similar laws have manifested in state interference, Rome Mayor Jacqueline Izzo said last week, and have included voter turnout. She said she believes the lack of voters caused her to lose last week’s Republican primary for Rome Mayor.
“I am disappointed,” Izzo. “There are a couple of reasons. The first is low voter turnout. We had about two thousand voters turn out when we have about six thousand two hundred potential votes. Also, the Democrats switching the primary was a calculated move to disrupt things. People are thinking about graduations and going on vacations when they should be thinking about primaries and voting.”
Izzo will seek re-election on the Conservative ticket when general elections are held Nov. 7.
Local officials oppose this legislation because they believe that important local races and issues would be overshadowed by larger ones taking place across the state and nationally. they echo concerns expressed by Picente and others who have spoken out about the measure.
“By forcing local elections to coincide with federal and state races, voters will be bombarded with a multitude of issues and the federal and state matters will overshadow the local issues,” Assemblyman Brian D. Miller, D-122, said. “Local issues oftentimes have more of a direct impact on voters, and these issues will now be pushed to the wayside. I urge the Governor to veto this legislation.”
Picente said the bills, if passed, would have the opposite effect of what their supporters claim they will bring.
“By moving some, and not all, local elections those that remain in odd-numbered years…there will be less, not more, awareness of these elections that remain and will result in even less turnout,” he said. “In fact, the unexplained logic of leaving some local elections untouched begs the question of whether the legislative majority feels it can win more city elections in those years.”