PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Cormac Slade Byrd, Civically Engaged New Yorker, on Even Year Elections
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Cormac Slade Byrd, a civically engaged New Yorker, testified in support of Resolution 189, urging the committee to vote yes on even year elections. He argued that moving to even year elections would significantly improve voter turnout, save money, and increase efficiency in the electoral process.
- Highlighted the historical precedent of changing election years in New York City
- Emphasized the urgency of taking action, noting the delays in previous attempts to pass similar resolutions
- Pointed out the potential cost savings and improved efficiency in election administration by consolidating with even year cycles
Cormac Slade Byrd
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Good afternoon.
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My name is Cormac Slade Bird, and I'm a civically engaged New Yorker, who believes deeply in the power of democratic participation.
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I'm here today to urge this committee to vote yes on Resolution 189 in support of even year elections.
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There isn't a strong justification for maintaining odd year year elections.
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In fact, odd year elections, in fact, odd year elections, are only the status quo, because of political maneuvering during the 18 94 State Constitutional Convention.
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Before that, city elections shifted between odd and even years, in 18 70, 18 57, and 1850.
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If it could happen 4 times in a 50 year period, we can certainly do it now.
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The voter turnout arguments for even year elections are undeniable.
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Higher and more representative turnout is practically guaranteed.
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I'm sure you've heard, and will continue to hear, these points, but they bear repeating.
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This is the lowest hanging fruit to improve civic engagement and local politics.
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On a practical level, audier elections are inefficient and costly.
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They require separate administrative resources, public education campaigns, and auditing processes, all of which could be consolidated into existing even year cycles.
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Moving elections to even years would save 1,000,000 of dollars, improve efficiency, and allow the Board of Elections to focus on delivering better services.
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I want to highlight an important point of urgency.
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This same resolution was considered in June 2023, but was never brought to a vote.
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A year and a half later, the arguments remain as strong as ever.
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Delaying action comes at a cost, another cycle of low term elections and lost time.
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Even if this resolution passes, the state legislator must amend Article 8, Section 8 of the State Constitution across 2 consecutive legislatures, a process that takes at least 3 years.
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Add to that the time required to implement these changes, and it's clear that every delay prolongs this sub par equilibrium we find ourselves in today.
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This is a crucial step towards a democracy that invites broader participation from our city's residents.
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Let's take that step together.
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Thank you to chair Ressler and the Committee on Governmental Operations, State, and Federal Legislation.