Election calendar for local races as reforms become law in NY

Primary day for local elections this year will be on June 25, according to the political calendar put out this week by the state Board of Elections.

Voters will choose their party candidates about three months earlier than usual as the result of a new law consolidating primary dates that made its way through the Legislature last week and was approved on Thursday by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Candidates pursuing municipal office can begin collecting petitions on Feb. 26.

The new primary date also has ramifications for campaign finance filings, which – aside from January and July periodic updates – are tied to when elections are held.

The calendar does not appear to address early voting, which was also enacted this year and is supposed to apply to the general election in November.