Waukegan, New York (WWNY) – A number of town and county votes that used to happen every other year are now held every other year. It’s part of new laws that Governor Kathy Hochul says will make it easier for people to vote and get more people to do so.
The choice is controversial among local Republican leaders.
Assemblyman Scott Gray is worried that bigger issues affecting the whole state will make local problems less important.
“I believe that local elections should have their own cycle.” “People-centered and important issues should get their own time on the air,” Gray said.
Gray thinks that the ruling will hurt elections for sheriff, county clerk, and treasurer, which will still happen on odd years, the most. People might not go to the polls as much if the vote is smaller.
A shockingly low number of people showed up. It’s going to be really hard. They are the only ones that will be on the ticket, Gray said.
The news came from Governor Hochul last Friday, which was the start of a holiday weekend. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik said that was wrong and that the governor was hiding the law. She called it a clear attempt to take power. Gray has the same complaints.
“That’s all that needs to be said about openness in Albany. Gray said, “When you sign a law around 5 o’clock on Friday before a long holiday weekend.”
Hochul says this is the first step in a plan to make sure that all polls are fair. But that would need to be written into the law.