Current:Home > MarketsJudge tosses a New York law that moved many local elections to even-numbered years-InfoLens
Judge tosses a New York law that moved many local elections to even-numbered years
View Date:2024-12-23 17:04:15
A law moving many town and county elections in New York to even-numbered years to align them with state and federal races was struck down by a state judge, providing a win to Republicans who claimed it was a partisan effort by Democrats to gain an electoral edge.
Sponsors of the bill approved by the Democrat-led state Legislature last year said they wanted to shift elections for town supervisor, county executive and some other local posts from odd-numbered years to reduce confusion and increase voter turnout. Republicans denounced the law as an effort to move local elections to higher-turnout presidential election years, which could favor Democrats.
A number of Republican officials sued the state, leading to the ruling on Tuesday in Syracuse from state Supreme Court Justice Gerard Neri, who said the law violated the state constitution. Neri said, in part, that the law violates the rights of local governments to control their own affairs.
The judge also noted that the law does not affect New York City elections, since city elections and certain local posts such as county district attorney are held on odd-numbered years under terms of the state constitution. Neri said the law raises questions over the federal requirement that governments provide equal protection to people under the law.
“Are the urbane voters of New York City less likely to be confused by odd year elections than the rubes living in Upstate and Long Island?” Neri asked.
The attorney general’s office was reviewing the decision.
State Sen. James Skoufis, a sponsor of the bill, predicted the decision would be overturned on appeal.
“This case was always going to be appealed and I fully expect a more objective panel of judges to rule in favor of the law’s constitutionality,’' Skoufis, a Democrat, said in a prepared release. ”In the meantime, the plaintiffs continue to waste local tax dollars on their senseless crusade to preserve lower turnout in elections.”
State Republican Chairman Ed Cox said the ruling was a victory for people who care about local elections.
“This radical change to longstanding election law was a blatant effort by Democrats to consolidate total, one-party control at every level of government, and establish permanent Democratic authority in our state, as discussion of local issues would have been buried beneath an avalanche of federal and state spending,” Cox said in a prepared statement.
veryGood! (3381)
Related
- Infowars auction could determine whether Alex Jones is kicked off its platforms
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Thinking of You
- Indiana Fever vs. Chicago Sky recap: Caitlin Clark wins showdown with Angel Reese
- Kansas lawmaker’s law license suspended over conflicts of interest in murder case
- He failed as a service dog. But that didn't stop him from joining the police force
- Schumer to bring up vote on gun bump stocks ban after Supreme Court decision
- Bryson DeChambeau wins another U.S. Open with a clutch finish to deny Rory McIlroy
- England defeats Serbia in its Euro 2024 opener on Jude Bellingham goal
- Dick Van Dyke says he 'fortunately' won't be around for Trump's second presidency
- Biden’s reelection team launches $50 million ad campaign targeting Trump before the first debate
Ranking
- Man jailed after Tuskegee University shooting says he fired his gun, but denies shooting at anyone
- US aircraft carrier counters false Houthi claims with ‘Taco Tuesdays’ as deployment stretches on
- Social Security is constantly getting tweaked. Here's what could be changing next.
- Three Colorado women murdered and the search for a serial killer named Hannibal
- Stop What You're Doing—Moo Deng Just Dropped Her First Single
- Severe, chaotic weather around US with high temperatures in Southwest and Midwest, snow in Rockies
- Biden’s reelection team launches $50 million ad campaign targeting Trump before the first debate
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Thinking of You
Recommendation
-
4 charged in Detroit street shooting that left 2 dead, 5 wounded
-
Birmingham Stallions defeat San Antonio Brahmas in UFL championship game
-
Comforting the condemned: Inside the execution chamber with reverend focused on humanity
-
Olympic Hopeful J.J. Rice Dead at 18 in Diving Accident
-
A herniated disc is painful, debilitating. How to get relief.
-
Army lieutenant colonel says Lewiston shooter had ‘low threat’ profile upon leaving hospital
-
Home run robbery in ninth caps Texas A&M win vs. Florida in College World Series opener
-
Florida couple wins $1 million lottery prize just before their first child is born