Add Rockland’s Sheriff and an area Assemblyman to the list of local elected officials who aren’t happy about the new law that changes some local elections from running in odd-numbered years to even years, along with national congressional and presidential elections. Orange County State Senator James Skoufis, the bill’s sponsor, says it would save money and bring more people out to vote. Rockland Sheriff Lou Falco, a Democrat, whose position is not affected by the change since it is codified in the state’s constitution, says they should have left the election process alone…
Republican Assemblyman John McGowan of the 97th district, covering Orangetown and portions of Ramapo, says more civic engagement in local issues is good, but the election switch is simply a political ploy…
City and village elections are excluded from the law, as are races for county clerk, sheriff, D-As, local judges and others. Rockland County Executive Ed Day lamented local races will be overshadowed by other elections.