SARANAC LAKE — Most of the town supervisors in the Tri-Lakes region are not pleased with new state legislation that would move their odd-year elections to even years.
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 and Tupper Lake.
“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.”
Money saving
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.
Ballot effects
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.
Harrietstown Town Supervisor Jordanna Mallach is up for reelection in 2025. If she decides to run again, she will need to run on a three-year term. Then, in 2028, she would run again for four. Deputy Supervisor Tracey Schrader, Councilperson John Williams, Town Clerk Sabrina Harrison and Highway Superintendent Dan Martin would follow the same cycle.
Mallach did not offer a strong opinion on the new law, but did acknowledge what she sees as its cost-effectiveness.
“By reducing the overall elections that are going to occur, you reduce the cost,” she said.
Tupper Lake town Supervisor Rick Dattola said the new law is down on his list of state grievances, though it does strike him as “kind of silly.”
Dattola is also up for reelection in 2025, and will need to follow the three-year then four-year cycle if he continues running. Newly-elected town Clerk Mary K. Strack, Highway Superintendent William Dechene, current council members Rick Donah and John Gillis, as well as new members Timothy Larkin and Crystal Boucher will follow the same cycle. Larkin and Boucher are filling the seats of Tracy Luton, whose final meeting was Thursday, and Mary Fontana, who is now Tupper Lake village mayor.
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.