IBO: NYC could save $42 million every other year by shifting election cycle

August 15, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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CITYWIDE — NYC COULD SAVE $42 million by moving local odd-year elections to even-numbered years alongside state and federal elections, the Independent Budget Office of New York City said in a release Thursday. At the request of Citizens Union’s Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum, IBO evaluated the fiscal impact of such a move by evaluating annual Board of Election reports from 2014 through 2023. Total election-related costs for the past five odd-year elections ranged from $15 million in 2016 up to $63 million in 2022, the study found. By shifting to the state and federal cycle, the city would save $42 million in poll worker expenses and — to a lesser extent — staff transportation and furniture rentals.

State approval would be required for such a shift. City elections have been held in odd-numbered years since 1894.

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