Long Island pols blast New York’s new election law that could boost Democrats in local races

Long Island officials criticized the new election law in the state that is expected to change local campaigns and benefit downballot Democrats. Members of both political parties held a news conference to express their disapproval of Gov. Kathy Hochul signing the law that moves local races to even years, aligning them with federal elections.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman stated that the shift is about the state attempting to control local politics. Suffolk and Nassau County officials accused Albany of diverting voters’ attention from local issues by emphasizing broader state and national matters. They argued that the move could hinder fair debates on important matters at the county, town, city, and village levels.
Despite facing criticism, a New York state court upheld the law’s constitutionality, rejecting claims that it infringed on counties’ rights to manage their elections. Blakeman and Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine expressed their intent to appeal the ruling in a bid to uphold local control over elections. Governor Hochul defended the law, stating that it aims to enhance democracy and encourage higher voter turnout in local elections held during even years.