By Brigid Bergin in Gothamist. Excerpt: 

That’s the argument in a new report from Citizens Union to be released on Friday. The nonpartisan good government group examined how holding local elections in the same year as state or federal races boosted participation rates in other U.S. cities by as much as 460%.

Currently, New York City holds its local elections in odd-numbered years, and state and federal races in even-numbered years.

Paltry turnout is a perennial problem in the five boroughs. But the numbers hit a record low in the 2021 general election, when just 23% of voters cast a ballot for mayor. By comparison, voter turnout in the city was north of 55% in the 2020 presidential election, and was 38% in last year’s governor’s race.

Read the full article here.