New York’s legislature is considering moving most local elections to November of even-numbered years. This is one of the most impactful electoral reforms that states can adopt. If New York goes ahead with it, it would join Arizona, California, and Nevada in making most local elections on-cycle. On-cycle local elections boost overall turnout and reduce racial disparities in turnout. They also make local elected officials more accountable for their records and more responsive to voters’ preferences.

The State Legislature this week is expected to approve a bill to move local elections to even-numbered years in what supporters call a cost-saving switch, but which Republicans argue is aimed at benefiting Democrats.

She said it would ease “voter fatigue” of elections now held from March at the village level through November at the state level. She said the measure will drive up New York’s notoriously lower turnout for local elections that can often be as low as 15% to 25% of the electorate.

The measure unveiled Wednesday by the Democratic majorities of the Senate and Assembly would move most local races outside New York City to even-numbered years beginning in 2026. Local officials elected in 2025 would serve a one-year term.

Local elections would then share the spotlight with elections for state Senate, Assembly, statewide offices, Congress and president, which have commanded greater turnout than local elections in odd-numbered years.

The measure would cover town and village boards, mayors, and county legislators and executives, but not district attorneys, judges, county clerks and some other posts for which terms are set under the state constitution. Changing those election dates would require a constitutional amendment.

School board elections and school budget votes are run locally and wouldn’t be changed.