ALBANY — New York’s top court ruled Thursday that a new law switching local elections to even-numbered years was constitutional, delivering a big win for Democrats and a blow to Republicans who had sued to block it.
The Court of Appeals, in a 7-0 decision authored by a Republican judge, ruled the State Legislature was within its authority when it adopted the law in 2023.
In doing so, the court rejected a Republican lawsuit — led by GOP county executives around the state, including Bruce Blakeman of Nassau County. The Republicans contended that moving town and county election years required a constitutional amendment and voter approval in a statewide referendum.
“We hold that there is no express or implied constitutional limitation on the legislature’s authority to enact the Even Year Election Law and therefore affirm,” Judge Michael Garcia wrote for the court.
Further, the court said there was no reason to delay the implementation of the law.
The new law means everyone running locally in 2025 will have a truncated term. If a position normally would have a two-year term for someone running in 2025 (think county legislature), then it will be truncated to a one-year term, up for reelection in 2026.
A candidate for, say, Nassau County executive, would be up for a three-year term instead of the normal four. Blakeman is running for reelection this fall against Seth Koslow, a Democratic county legislator.
The law doesn’t apply to New York City or certain countywide offices such as district attorney.
