BILL NUMBER: S347
SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public officers law, the second class cities law,
the alternative county government law and the county law, in relation to
requiring certain elections of public officials occur on even-numbered
years
 
PURPOSE:
To amend certain election laws in relation to a proposed constitutional
amendment requiring certain elections of public officials occur on even-
numbered years.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends subdivision 2 of section 4 of the public officers law,
as amended by chapter 9 of the laws of 1978. Establishes that all terms
of city officers who were elected expire at the end of an even-numbered
year, and are elected at the general election in an even-numbered year.
Section 2: Amends section 14 of the second class cities law so that
elections of city officers and judicial officers of a city court or
inferior local court, are held on the Tuesday succeeding the first
Monday in November in even-numbered years.
Section 3: Amends subdivision 2 of section 300 of the alternative county
government law so that the first comptroller is to be elected in the
first general election after the adoption of the new form of government.
If there is already an elective county auditor, the first comptroller is
elected in the last year of the auditor's term or at the next general
election in case of a vacancy. Subsequent comptrollers are elected every
four years, starting from the first even-numbered year after the first
comptroller's election.
Section 4: Amends subdivision 1 of section 400 of the county law as
amended by chapter 658 of the laws of 1985 so that the sheriff, county
clerk, district attorney, county treasurer, and coroner or medical exam-
iner are elected at a general election in an even-numbered year.
Section 5: Establishes that in accordance with this bill, an elected
official subject to the requirements of sections one through four of
this bill, complete their full term as established by law. If the
completion of their full term results in the need for an election in an
odd-numbered year, the official elected at such election shall have
their term expire as if they were elected at the previous general
election held in the previous even-numbered year.
Section 6: Sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This legislation accompanies "CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND
ASSEMBLY," in relation to requiring certain elections to be held in
even-numbered years.
New York's current system of holding certain local elections on Election
Day in odd-numbered years leads to voter confusion and contributes to
low voter turnout in local elections. Studies have consistently shown
that voter turnout is the highest on the November Election Day in even-
numbered years when elections for state and federal offices are held.
Syncing local elections will ease voter confusion and will lead to
greater citizen participation in local elections.
Chapter 741 of 2023 was a major first step in transitioning local
elections to even-numbered years, as it requires that certain Town and
County elections be held in even-numbered years. This constitutional
amendment is the next logical step needed to continue consolidating our
elections and ensure higher voter turnout. This constitutional amendment
will move the elections of city officers, judicial officers, and others
such as sheriffs, county clerks, and district attorneys to even-numbered
years.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Senate
2024: S9127, Referred to Investigations and Government Operations
Assembly
2024: A10506, Referred to Election Law
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the same date as a "CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing amendments to section 21 of article
6, article 13, section 6 of article 4, and section 1 of article 19 of
the constitution, in relation to requiring certain elections and all
submissions to the people for approval of constitutional amendments be
held in even-numbered years at the general election", takes effect, in
accordance with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution. Effective
immediately, the addition, amendment, and/or repeal of any rule or regu-
lation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective
date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective
date.

Statutes affected:
S347: 4 public officers law, 4(2) public officers law, 14 second class cities law, 300 alternative county government law, 300(2) alternative county government law, 400 county law, 400(1) county law