A law approved in 2023 that shifted elections in New York to even-numbered years violates the state Constitution, according to a state Supreme Court judge.
The law, which requires many local elections outside New York City to be held in even-numbered years, is unconstitutional because it does not apply alike to all counties, New York Supreme Court Judge Gerard Neri wrote in a 26-page decision.
New York’s Constitution states that the legislature can only act in relation to “the property, affairs, or government” of local governments “only by general law.”
The only exception is if the Legislature acts through a special law, but the Legislature must be promoting a substantial state interest or concern if it utilizes that option….