Res 0646-2023

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