DUTCHESS COUNTY, N.Y.: A Republican county took a step closer to suing the state of New York after state Democrats voted to usurp the authority of county legislatures to set the years of local elections — a move that local officials say will likely hurt Republican candidates and help Democrats.
The Dutchess County legislature, which has 15 Republicans and 10 Democrats, voted 14-7 (with four legislators absent) on Monday to pass a resolution authorizing the county attorney to sue the state over a 2023 law that moved certain local elections, like those for county legislator, executive, and “town officers,” to even-numbered years — coinciding with state and federal elections which statistically have higher voter turnout. Aside from two Democrats who joined Republicans to vote against it, the 2023 legislation passed the Democrat-led state Senate on a party-line vote before it was signed by Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Not all city and village elections are being moved to even-numbered election years. The legislation makes exceptions for county clerks, sheriffs, and district attorneys. Additionally, Dutchess County Legislature Chair Will Truitt told The Federalist that school board races occurring in May aren’t affected since the state law concerns November elections.
The law will take effect in 2025.
The Dutchess County resolution authorizes County Attorney Caroline Blackburn to use up to $100,000 to consult outside counsel while suing the state, should she need it, Truitt said. Fellow Legislator Douglass McHoul told The Federalist that Blackburn has “expressed confidence in her office’s ability to
