NYC voters will decide on even-year elections in November

NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) – New York City voters will decide whether to move local elections to even-numbered years. 

The city’s Charter Revision Commission on Monday approved a ballot measure to align local elections with federal presidential elections. It’s one of five ballot measures proposed, the other four being focused on housing and zoning. 

Now, the question will go to a vote in the November general election. 

“This reform is intended to improve voter turnout, make local democracy more inclusive, and save taxpayer money,” the commission wrote in a recent report. 

Voter turnout for federal elections is way higher than local elections in New York City. In the 2020 presidential election, some 62% of registered New York City voters cast a ballot, compared to just 23% in the 2021 mayoral election. 

Other cities, like Phoenix and Baltimore, have seen huge increases in voter turnout by moving to even years, according to the commission report. 

The commission recently dropped a potential ballot measure to open up New York City’s primary elections, which would all voters and candidates regardless of party membership. 

“Polls have shown widespread, cross-partisan support among New Yorkers for consolidating local elections—and nearly every time this question has been put before voters across the country, it has passed by large margins, with an average approval rate of 72%” said Grace Rauh, executive director of the Citizens Union.

The commission could not agree on the manner or timing of open primaries, according to Richard Buery, chair of the Charter Review Commission. Many commissioners expressed disappointment at discontinuing the open primary proposal. 

“I remain personally convinced it is time to open our primary system to independent voters,” Buery said.