The Independent Budget Office of New York City estimates that shifting local odd-year elections to even-numbered years could result in $42 million in total savings. This evaluation was conducted upon request by Citizens Union's Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum, who aimed to assess the fiscal impact of changing the election cycle. Analyzing Board of Election reports from 2014 to 2023, the IBO noted that total costs for odd-year elections varied significantly, underscoring the financial benefits of consolidating electoral events.
The research highlights that past odd-year election costs ranged from $15 million in 2016 to $63 million in 2022. Moving local elections to coincide with state and federal elections could drastically reduce expenses associated with poll worker remuneration, and to a lesser degree, transportation and furniture rentals. This shift not only promises financial efficiency but potentially increases voter turnout, as residents are more likely to engage when multiple elections occur simultaneously.
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