New York, New York, Question 6, Move City Elections to Even-Numbered Years Charter Amendment (November 2025)

New York Question 6
Election date November 4, 2025
Topic Local charter amendments and Local election date changes
Status Defeated
Type Referral

New York Question 6 was on the ballot as a referral in New York on November 4, 2025. It was defeated.

A "yes" vote supported moving the city’s primary and general elections to coincide with federal presidential election years, when permitted by state law.

A "no" vote opposed changing the city election schedule, keeping city elections in odd-numbered years.

A simple majority was required to approve the measure. In order for the measure to have gone into effect, a statewide constitutional amendment would have also been required.

Election results

New York Question 6
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		874,152	47.18%
No		978,611	52.82%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Overview

What would this amendment have done with New York City elections?

This amendment would have changed city elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years. This would have impacted the elections for mayor, comptroller, public advocate, members of the council, and borough presidents. The first even-numbered election would have occurred in 2028, with subsequent elections every four years. These even-year elections would have coincided with the presidential general elections starting in 2028. Term lengths would have been temporarily adjusted to coincide with the new schedule—some four-year terms would have been adjusted to three-year terms until 2028, or one year for certain council seats. Shortened terms would not have counted as full terms when it came to term limits. This amendment would have also updated deadlines for the City Redistricting Commission so that the process would line up with even-year election cycles starting in 2032.

In order for the amendment to have taken effect, a state constitutional amendment would have also needed to be approved by the voters. Article XIII, Section 8 of the New York Constitution required that all city officials be elected in odd-numbered years. To change this, the state legislature would have had to approve a constitutional amendment—by a simple majority vote in two consecutive legislative sessions—and place it on the statewide ballot for voter approval, in addition to the local charter amendment being approved by New York City voters. The earliest a constitutional amendment could appear on the ballot, due to the two-session requirement, was 2027.

Did other cities have odd-numbered year elections or even-numbered year elections?

As of 2025, on the statewide level, the majority of U.S. states (45 of them) held even-numbered year elections for governor and other executive offices. Five states—Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia—held off-cycle statewide elections for governor and other executive offices, while four of these states (all except Kentucky) also held off-year state legislative elections.

At the city level, six cities out of the top 25 U.S. cities—Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Diego, Austin, San Francisco, Washington, DC—held elections at even-numbered years. Meanwhile, of the top 25 cities, the remaining 17 cities held elections in odd years.

What were the arguments for and against this measure?

The New York City Charter Revision Commission, the entity which placed the measure on the ballot, said because even-year elections have higher turnout, it meant that even-year turnouts have a better representation of voters. The commission said, "Even-year elections in New York see significantly higher turnout than odd-year elections — more than double, on average — and peer cities see significantly higher turnout in local elections held in even years. Indeed, other cities that have synchronized their local elections with the presidential election calendar have seen skyrocketing voter turnout … even-year elections would also likely save taxpayer dollars. Consolidated elections save administrative time and public funds that can be reallocated to voter communication and outreach efforts. In New York City, an estimate by the Independent Budget Office suggests that the savings would total approximately $42 million every two years."

Diane Savino, a member of the commission, opposed the measure, saying that placing local elections on the even-year ballot would take focus away from local candidates and issues. She said, "in a presidential year, local candidates, who are the closest people to their community, will not get the type of attention in their election year, which will be drowned out by the top of the ticket. They buy up all the air time, they buy up all the campaign time. And if you are a local elected official, a council person running in the same year as the president, it’s very possible the drop-off from the top of the ticket to the bottom would do a serious disservice to local government."

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Question 6 was as follows:

“

Proposed Charter Amendment: Move Local Elections to Presidential Election Years to Increase Voter Participation Move the City’s primary and general election dates so that City elections are held in the same year as Federal Presidential elections, when permitted by state law. “Yes” moves City elections to the same year as Federal Presidential Elections, when permitted by state law. “No” leaves laws unchanged.

”

Full Text

The full text of this measure is available here.

Support

Supporters

Officials

• State Sen. James Skoufis (D)

Organizations

• Abundance New York
• Brennan Center for Justice
• Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York
• Citizens Union of the City of New York
• League of Women Voters of New York City
• YVote

Arguments

• New York City Charter Revision Commission: "Even-year elections in New York see significantly higher turnout than odd-year elections — more than double, on average — and peer cities see significantly higher turnout in local elections held in even years. Indeed, other cities that have synchronized their local elections with the presidential election calendar have seen skyrocketing voter turnout … even-year elections would also likely save taxpayer dollars. Consolidated elections save administrative time and public funds that can be reallocated to voter communication and outreach efforts. In New York City, an estimate by the Independent Budget Office suggests that the savings would total approximately $42 million every two years."
• Ben Weinberg, public policy director of Citizens Union: "Holding local elections during even-numbered years will elevate local issues. This is the time where folks are more tuned into electoral politics, the time where most people follow political news."
• Brennan Center for Justice: "The average voter turnout in New York City mayoral elections over the past twenty years is just 29.5 percent – a far lower rate than the turnout for gubernatorial and federal elections in that same period. Even fewer New York City voters turn out for non-mayoral elections in odd years despite competitive races across the boroughs and statewide ballot measures on the ballot. Such dismal turnout frustrates the full potential of an inclusive democracy in New York City. Aligning low-turnout city elections to even-numbered years can help address this problem. Given the experience of other jurisdictions that have aligned their elections, we know this policy can increase voter turnout, promote a more representative electorate, and reduce election administration costs."
• State Sen. James Skoufis (D-42): "We want as many New Yorkers participating in local elections as possible. When we have more people voting in these local races, the outcomes will be more reflective of the people that local leaders then serve, it’s as simple as that."
• League of Women Voters of New York City: "Aligning municipal elections with even-year federal election cycles will address voter turnout, equity, and cost-effectiveness challenges, ultimately strengthening democratic engagement. Moving elections to even years is a highly effective way to increase turnout. Cities like Los Angeles, Baltimore, and Phoenix experienced 20-60% increases after shifting their election dates. In fact, more people vote in at the bottom of a national election’s ballot, than vote at the top of a local-only ballot. It will also promote a more inclusive and representative electorate. Research in California on school board elections found that the share of minority voters, young voters, and renters all increase during even years. Consolidating elections will ensure compliance with federal laws on ballot access. The Help America Vote Act guarantees protections to voters in federal elections, and moving NYC elections to even-numbered years would ensure HAVA also applies to city elections. Finally, consolidating elections will save millions of dollars by reducing the need for redundant staffing, polling locations, and materials."
• Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York: "Higher-turnout elections typically come with more investment in accessible poll sites, better training for poll workers, and greater outreach to voters."
• Abundance New York: "The leaders who run our city day-to-day have a major impact on the city’s cost of living, quality of life, and safety; off-year elections mean that very few New York voters are actually choosing who those leaders are. ... Higher turnout means more New Yorkers having a voice in our politics, more representativeness and responsiveness from our elected leaders, and better outcomes for all."

Opposition

Opponents

Officials

• Cm. Robert Holden (D)

Candidates

• Zohran Mamdani (D) - New York City mayoral candidate
• Curtis Sliwa (Protect Animals Party, Republican Party) - New York City mayoral candidate

Arguments

• Diane Savino, commissioner on the Charter Revision Commission: "I have serious concerns, as having been a down-ballot candidate, that in a presidential year, local candidates, who are the closest people to their community, will not get the type of attention in their election year, which will be drowned out by the top of the ticket. They buy up all the air time, they buy up all the campaign time. And if you are a local elected official, a council person running in the same year as the president, it’s very possible the drop-off from the top of the ticket to the bottom would do a serious disservice to local governments."
• Errol Louis, columnist for New York Magazine: "The main problem with “one big election” is that national political dynamics would inevitably cause vital city issues unique to New York to get swallowed, distorted, or ignored … And imagine trying to help voters focus on strictly local matters — like when to close Rikers Island, how to fund public housing, or whether to boost money for our parks — while national candidates are spending hundreds of millions of dollars flooding the airwaves with ads for and against sweeping issues like the 900-page Project 2025 agenda. The last thing we need is local candidates bloviating about funding Social Security or supporting NATO instead of telling us how they plan to improve trash pickups, improve the schools, or hire more social workers to help the homeless."
• New York City Councilmember Robert Holden (D): "In the 1960s and 1970s New York often saw turnout above 70 percent with one day to vote. The issue is not the calendar, it is engagement and confidence in local government."

Media editorials

See also: 2025 ballot measure media endorsements

Support

Ballotpedia did not locate media editorial boards in support of the ballot measure.

Opposition

The following media editorial boards published an editorial opposing the ballot measure:

• New York Daily News Editorial Board: "Proposal 6 is simpler. It would move NYC’s municipal elections to presidential years, but that is determined only by the state Constitution, so the ballot question has no legal weight, even if it passes with 100% of the voters in support. The Charter Revision Commission was wrong to put it on the ballot, as it is deceptive and without any impact."

Learn more about on and off-cycle elections with On the Ballot. Subscribe here.

Background

On-cycle elections and off-cycle elections

Ballotpedia defines on-cycle elections as elections that are held at the same time as Federal elections in November of even-numbered years. On-cycle elections are held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November in even-numbered years, including both presidential election years — which are divisible by four — and midterm election years — which are not divisible by four. Elections that are not held on Tuesday following the First Monday in November of an even-numbered year are off-cycle elections. Off-cycle elections can be off-year — held in odd-numbered years — or off-date — for example on the third Tuesday in May. Some off-cycle elections are both off-year and off-date, such as elections held in the Spring of odd-numbered years.

At the statewide level, five states—Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia—hold off-cycle statewide elections for governor and other executive offices, while four of these states (all except Kentucky) also hold off-year state legislative elections. The remaining 45 states hold on-cycle elections for state offices.

Election cycles of top 25 U.S. cities

Below are the election cycles for the top 25 U.S. cities based on population at the time of the 2025 general election. "ON" refers to on-cycle elections, while "OFF" refers to off-cycle elections.

As of 2025, of the top 25 U.S. cities, six cities—Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Diego, Austin, San Francisco, Washington, DC—held on-cycle elections, while 17 cities hold off-cycle elections. San José And Oklahoma City were mixed, with mayoral races occurring in even years, while some council races were held in odd years.

Local election cycles of top 25 U.S. cities

City	Cycle	Notes
New York, NY	OFF	City elections (mayor, council) held in odd years.
Los Angeles, CA	ON	Shifted to even years after voters approved a 2015 charter amendment.
Chicago, IL	OFF	Municipal elections in odd years.
Houston, TX	OFF	Mayor and council elected in odd years.
Phoenix, AZ	ON	Mayor/council elections in even years; runoffs in March of odd years if needed.
Philadelphia, PA	OFF	Citywide elections (mayor, council) in odd years.
San Antonio, TX	OFF	Mayoral and council elections in May of odd years.
San Diego, CA	ON	Consolidated with even-year elections; mayor elected in 2024.
Dallas, TX	OFF	City elections held in May of odd years.
Jacksonville, FL	OFF	Consolidated city elections held in odd years.
Fort Worth, TX	OFF	Mayor and council elected in May of odd years.
San José, CA	MIX	Measure B (2022) moved mayoral to presidential years starting 2024; council elections vary by district.
Austin, TX	ON	Consolidated to even-year November elections by charter change in 2012.
Columbus, OH	OFF	Municipal elections held in odd years.
Charlotte, NC	OFF	Normally odd-year cycle; 2022 was shifted due to redistricting, returning to odd-year after.
San Francisco, CA	ON	Proposition H (2022) moved mayor and key offices to even-numbered years.
Indianapolis, IN	OFF	City elections in odd years.
Seattle, WA	OFF	Mayor and council in odd years.
Denver, CO	OFF	Consolidated city elections in odd years.
Washington, DC	ON	Mayor and council elected in even years.
Boston, MA	OFF	Mayoral and council elections in odd years.
El Paso, TX	OFF	City elections generally in odd years.
Nashville, TN	OFF	Consolidated city-county elections held in odd years.
Detroit, MI	OFF	City elections in odd years.
Oklahoma City, OK	MIX	Mayor and council elected in odd years.

Path to the ballot

This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the New York City Charter Revision Commission.

How to cast a vote

See also: Voting in New York

See below to learn more about current voter registration rules, identification requirements, and poll times in New York.

How to vote in New York

Poll times

Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. for primary and general elections. Anyone in line when the polls close must be allowed to vote.

Registration

Check your voter registration status here.

To vote in New York, one must be a United States citizen, a resident of their county, city, or village for at least 30 days before the election, and at least 18 years old by the date of the election. Pre-registration is available beginning at the age of 16. People who are in prison for a felony conviction and those who have been declared mentally incompetent by a court are ineligible to register to vote. One cannot register to vote in New York while claiming the right to vote elsewhere.

Registration applications are available at the county board of elections or any agency-based voter registration center. Forms are also available online, or prospective voters can request the form by mail.

The form must be received by election officials at least 10 days before the election. Registration done in person must be completed at least 10 days before the election. Residents may also register to vote online through the DMV Electronic Voter Registration Application or the Board of Elections' voter registration portal. These applications are forwarded to the county board of elections; applicants should allow up to six weeks for processing.

Automatic registration

See also: Automatic voter registration

New York automatically registers eligible individuals to vote through several state agencies, including the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Health, the Department of Labor, and others.

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

New York has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Same-day registration

See also: Same-day voter registration

New York does not allow same-day voter registration.

Residency requirements

In order to register to vote in New York, applicants must "be a resident of this state and the county, city or village for at least 30 days before the election," according to the New York State Board of Elections.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

New York does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual must attest that they are a U.S. citizen when registering to vote. According to the state's voter registration application, voter who submits false information "can be convicted and fined up to $5,000 and/or jailed for up to four years."

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment. Eight states — Alabama, Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming — have laws requiring individuals provide proof of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. Three states, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi, require a person provide proof of citizenship if their citizenship status cannot be verified by other means. One state, Ohio, requires proof of citizenship only when registering to vote at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles facility. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

Verifying your registration

The New York State Board of Elections allows residents to check their voter registration status online by visiting this website.

Voter ID requirements

New York does not require voters to present identification while voting.

The federal Help America Vote Act requires that individuals in all 50 states who register to vote by mail and who have not voted previously in a federal election in their state must provide either their driver's license or a paycheck, bank statement, current utility bill, or government document showing their name and address. Individuals voting by mail must include a copy of one of those documents with their absentee/mail-in ballot.

These requirements do not apply if an individual submitted a copy of their identification, their driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number when registering to vote. The following documents were acceptable forms of identification as of December 2025. Click here for the New York City Board of Elections page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.

“

Current and Valid Photo ID Current Utility Bill Bank Statement Government Check or Paycheck Government Document that shows Name and Address

”

See also

Local measures

• Local measures in 2025
• Local charter amendments ballot measures

New York

• New York 2025 local measures
• Local ballot measures, New York
• New York, New York

News and analysis

• State and local preemption conflicts
• Measures advancing national agendas