File #: Res 0646-2023    Version: Name: Amendment to the New York State Constitution to move New York City elections to even-numbered years.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Governmental Operations
On agenda: 5/25/2023
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the voters to approve, an amendment to the New York State Constitution to move New York City elections to even-numbered years
Sponsors: Sandra Ung, Farah N. Louis, Chi A. Ossé, Lincoln Restler, Carlina Rivera , Gale A. Brewer, Sandy Nurse, Alexa Avilés, Marjorie Velázquez, Shekar Krishnan, Tiffany Cabán, Kevin C. Riley, Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Nantasha M. Williams, Crystal Hudson
Council Member Sponsors: 15
Attachments: 1. Res. No. 646, 2. May 25, 2023 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 3. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 5-25-23, 4. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - May 25, 2023, 5. Committee Report 6/7/23, 6. Hearing Testimony 6/7/23, 7. Hearing Transcript 6/7/23, 8. Proposed Res. No. 646-A - 6/12/23

Proposed Res. No. 646-A

 

Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the voters to approve, an amendment to the New York State Constitution to move New York City elections to even-numbered years

 

By Council Members Ung, Louis, Ossé, Restler, Rivera, Brewer, Nurse, Avilés, Velázquez, Krishnan, Cabán, Riley, Brooks-Powers, Williams and Hudson

 

Whereas, In New York City elections for Mayor, Public Advocate, Comptroller, City Council and Borough Presidents are held on odd-numbered years; and

Whereas, New York City elections have been held in odd-numbered years since 1894; and

Whereas, In New York elections for all statewide officials, Assembly Members and State Senators are held on even-numbered years; and

Whereas, Presidential elections are held on even-numbered years; and

Whereas, Elections for United States Congress are held on even-numbered years; and

Whereas, In 2021, a year where New Yorkers were electing a new Mayor, a new Comptroller, four new Borough Presidents and new Council members in many districts only 23% of registered voters cast a ballot; and

Whereas, Over the past 20 years, turnout in New York City for state elections has averaged 35.6%; and

Whereas, Over the past 20 years, turnout in New York City in municipal elections has averaged less than 30%; and

Whereas, Over the past 20 years, turnout in New York City for Presidential elections has averaged 60.7%; and

Whereas, According to Citizens Union, cities that have moved local elections from odd- to even-years have all seen increased turnout; and

Whereas, Moving municipal elections in New York City to even-numbered years would likely increase voter turnout; and

Whereas, Voters in even-numbered year elections tend to be more demographically representative of the electorate as a whole; and

Whereas, Data suggests that turnout would increase the most for younger voters and voters of color if municipal elections were to be moved to even-numbered years; and

Whereas, Additional election cycles require voters to expend additional resources to learn how and where to vote and to make an additional trip to the polls; and

Whereas, When Representatives are elected by a small number of voters they are only accountable to a limited portion of their constituents; and

Whereas, Moving elections into even-numbered years will greatly decrease the cost of election administration; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the voters to approve, an amendment to the New York State Constitution to move New York City elections to even-numbered years.

 

 

LS #13328

05/17/23

EHC