Though the change will directly affect those who plan on seeking reelection, their main objection is that local races will get overshadowed by state and national ones on the ballot.

On Friday, Dec. 22, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation that she said would save money and encourage more voter participation. The Senate and Assembly bills — S3505-B/A4282-B — update the election calendar by aligning many local elections outside New York City currently held in odd-numbered years with statewide and legislative elections that are held in even-numbered years.

It does not include Essex County races — county clerk, sheriff, district attorney, family court judge, county court judge and surrogate — town justice positions or elections for villages, such as Lake Placid.

“Every eligible New Yorker deserves the right to participate in the democratic process without unnecessary barriers,” Hochul said. “By signing this legislation, we are taking a significant step towards expanding access to the ballot box and promoting a more inclusive democracy. This is a meaningful first step and I would support a constitutional amendment to align all election years, to save taxpayer dollars and avoid voter fatigue.”

Yet the current supervisors in the towns of North Elba, Jay, Keene and Wilmington are not buying what the governor is selling. Races for all these positions are currently held in odd-numbered years.

“I think it was a huge mistake,” Wilmington Supervisor Roy Holzer said Wednesday, Dec. 27, asserting that it is a “disservice” to local governments and representatives. “I think it was pure politics.”

This is Holzer’s last week as supervisor; incoming Supervisor Favor Smith has already been sworn in and officially takes office on Monday, Jan. 1. Smith said on Dec. 27 that he has no strong opinion for or against the new law, but it will affect him. His term ends in two years, and he plans to run for reelection. According to the new law, he would have to run for a one-year term, putting the election for Wilmington’s supervisor seat on an even-numbered year. In 2026, supervisor candidates would run for a two-year term again.

The bill passed 39 to 23 in the Senate and 89 to 57 in the Assembly in June.

Both Sen. Dan Stec, R-Queensbury, and Assemblyman Billy Jones, D-Chateaugay Lake, voted against the legislation, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2025.

“Moving local elections to even years will boost turnout, reduce voter fatigue, and minimize stressors on the local Boards of Elections,” Common Cause Executive Director Susan Lerner said in a press release. “It’s a win for the voters, who will hear directly from local candidates about local issues. We are thrilled Governor Hochul signed this pro-voter reform into law.”

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Money saving

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The governor said that when elections are held in odd-numbered years, the cost of participating in the voting is increased, “particularly for voters who may have a difficult time arranging for time off of work and traveling to their polling site.”

Yet, the law does not include town justice seats; therefore, those elections will continue to be held on odd-numbered years. Changing election dates for certain offices, including judgeships and offices in any city, must be done through a constitutional amendment.

“It saves no money,” Jay town Supervisor Matthew Stanley said Dec. 27.

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Ballot effects

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Holzer, Stanley, Keene town Supervisor Joe Pete Wilson and North Elba town Supervisor Derek Doty all say this law will not be good for local elections.

“I think local elections are going to get lost in state and national politics,” Stanley said.

That’s because when more races are added to a ballot, it may push local races to a second page; the national races are listed first, from left, then state races and then local ones.

“For me, I’m hoping it doesn’t take the limelight off the local elections,” Doty said Dec. 27

Doty was just reelected for a two-year term and said he doesn’t plan on running again in 2025. The North Elba supervisor candidates that year will have to run for a one-year term to get that seat on an even-numbered year. In 2026, it will be a two-year term again.

The new law will directly affect the Keene supervisor, who was elected to a four-year seat in 2021 and plans to run again in 2025.

“I’m a little put out by that — by having to run an extra race,” Wilson said on Dec. 27.

When Wilson runs in 2025, it will be for a three-year term to get the seat’s election to an even-numbered year. In 2028, the seat would be for a four-year term.

The next time two-year seats are up for election after Jan. 1, 2025, they will be for one year before returning to a two-year cycle. Four-year seats will be up for election for three years starting in 2025 and will return to a four-year cycle the next election.

Below are the current town seats in the Olympic Region that would be affected by the New York state’s new even-year election law.

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Jay

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Supervisor, Matthew Stanley (elected 2021, serves 2022 to 25)

Town councilor, Thomas McDonald (elected 2023, serves 2024 to 27)

Town councilor, Olivia Dwyer (elected 2023, serves 2024 to 27)

Town councilor, Knut Sauer (elected 2021, serves 2022 to 25)

Town councilor, Stephen Forbes (elected 2021, serves 2022 to 25)

Town clerk, Carol Greenley-Hackel (elected 2021, serves 2022 to 25)

Highway superintendent, Chris Garrow (appointed in 2023 to replace outgoing superintendent Kevin Lincoln)

Tax collector, Lori Ducharme (elected 2021, serves 2022 to 25)

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Keene

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Supervisor, Joe Pete Wilson (elected 2021, serves 2022 to 25)

Town councilor, Teresa Cheetham-Palen (elected 2021, serves 2022 to 25)

Town councilor, Bob Biesemeyer (elected 2021, serves 2022 to 25)

Town councilor, Chris Daley (elected 2023, serves 2024 to 27)

Town councilor, Ann Hough (elected 2023, serves 2024 to 27)

Town clerk, Anna Whitney (elected 2023, serves 2024 to 27)

Highway superintendent, Reginald Whitney (elected 2022 to finish term of outgoing superintendent Scott Smith)

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North Elba

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Supervisor, Derek Doty (elected 2023, serves 2024 to 25)

Town councilor, Emily Kilburn Politi (elected 2023, serves 2024 to 27)

Town councilor, Richard Cummings (elected 2023, serves 2024 to 27)

Town councilor, Jason Leon (elected 2021, serves 2022 to 25)

Town councilor, Rick Preston (elected 2021, serves 2022 to 25)

Town clerk/tax collector, Laurie Curtis Dudley (elected 2023, serves 2024 to 27)

Highway superintendent, Ken Porter (elected 2023, serves 2024 to 27)

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Wilmington

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Supervisor, Favor Smith (elected 2023, serves 2024 to 25)

Town councilor, Darin Forbes (elected 2023, serves 2024 to 27)

Town councilor, Laura Dreissigacker Hooker (elected 2023, serves 2024 to 27)

Town councilor, Tim Follos (elected 2021, serves 2022 to 25)

Town councilor, Tina Terry Preston (elected 2021, serves 2022 to 25)

Town clerk/tax collector, Dawn Stevens (elected 2021, serves 2022 to 25)

Highway superintendent, Louis Adragna (elected 2021, serves 2022 to 25)

Assessor, Alphonso Smith (elected 2023, serves 2024 to 27)

Assessor, Devan Korn (elected 2023, serves 2024 to 27)

Assessor, Blanche Peck (elected 2021, serves 2022 to 25)

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Officials from the Essex County Board of Elections in Elizabethtown sent an even-year election bill guide to town officials after the governor signed the legislation.