Albany County Republican & Conservative Conference Agenda 

Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision to move some local elections to even years flies in the face of vocal bipartisan opposition from counties, local Boards of Elections and local residents.

No one except State Democrat politicians pushed for this change. It won’t increase voter participation because of ballot drop-off. It won’t save taxpayer money because there will still be races in odd years. Yet once again, Governor Hochul and State Democrats are ignoring these facts to put their own political party interests first.

Holding local elections in odd years puts local issues front and center. Under this new law, property taxes, roads and other local issues with a direct impact on voters’ lives will be footnotes to races for President, Governor and other major offices.

I agree with Democrat and Republican Election Commissioners in Albany County. A constitutional amendment covering all local offices and put as a referendum before voters would’ve been the right way to do this. This is a true disservice to New Yorkers, and one I expect will be challenged.