A legal fight over how New York schedules local elections just took a new turn.
A coalition of political parties, local governments, candidates, and voters has filed an amended federal complaint challenging the state’s Even Year Election Law, arguing it suppresses local voices and violates federal voting protections .
The amended filing adds a new statewide plaintiff — the New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways — and names the New York State Board of Elections as a defendant responsible for enforcing the law.
The lawsuit challenges a state law that moved most county and town elections outside New York City from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years. The change first affected the November elections, forcing some local officials to serve shortened terms and then run again on accelerated timelines.
The plaintiffs argue that consolidating local elections with state and federal races buries community issues beneath national politics. They also claim the law imposes unfair burdens on candidates and voters while limiting meaningful debate at the local level.
“Now that this law has been implemented, its consequences are no longer theoretical,” said William A. Brewer III, lead counsel for the plaintiffs. “Local candidates will be forced to run again on shortened timelines, local elections will be buried under federal races, and voters will be deprived of meaningful choice.”
Brewer said the case centers on local self-governance and free speech.
“This case is about defending the right of communities to govern themselves — to debate local issues, elect local leaders, and be heard without being drowned out by national politics,” he said.
According to the amended complaint, New York City voters were allowed to decide whether to move their local elections to even years and rejected the idea. Counties and towns outside the city, however, had the change imposed by the state legislature without a public vote .
The plaintiffs also allege the law has unequal effects, pointing to lawmakers from New York City districts whose constituents voted to keep odd-year elections while supporting legislation that required even-year elections elsewhere.
The lawsuit seeks a court order blocking enforcement of the law and restoring local control over election timing. It also asks the court to declare the law unconstitutional under the First Amendment and in violation of the Voting Rights Act .
The case is pending in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
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