by Nancy Willen, Village of South Nyack Trustee
South Nyack Village Hall illustration by Bill Batson.
I am urging South Nyack residents to vote “Yes” on the ballot question to move village elections to November on Tues March 20. Very few residents vote in March compared to the number that vote in November.
During last year’s off year election, four times as many people voted in November than in March. During the presidential election year of 2016, the November turnout was 18 times higher than it was in March.
The Village Board voted by majority to move the elections to November. I urge you to vote “Yes” to move our elections to November. We are trying to increase resident participation, not stifle it.
Please vote on this important initiative on Tues March 20, 2018 at South Nyack Village Hall, 282 South Broadway, South Nyack. Polls will be open from 12n – 9p.
South Nyack Voter Turnout,
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| March Votes | November Votes | |
| 2017 | 203 | 833 |
| 2016 | 75 | 1,384 |
| 2015 | 76 | 588 |
| 2014 No ballot question |
433 | 802 |
| 2013 | 180 | 638 |
| 2012 | 37 | 1,375 |
| 2011 | 74 | 564 |
| 2010 | 54 | 729 |
Will local issues get lost if we move the elections to November?
Absolutely not! Unlike the old days, we now have many more means to get information to the public. Issues don’t come up only around election time. When it’s important, Village Hall sends out emails and post cards and is now looking into a presence on social media. There was full-house attendance during the meetings over parking concerns and the new bridge interchange.
Save Taxpayer Money
The Rockland County Board of Elections would run the elections in November and maintain voting records. We already pay for that service in our town taxes.
Why pay twice – By holding our elections separately in March, South Nyack incurs additional costs to hire election inspectors, post notices in the newspaper, create and print paper ballots. While not an extravagant cost, it is a savings.
Convenient Voting Hours
November election polling hours are 6a-9p. November general elections are commonplace and usually widely publicized. A November election would be in line with the majority of municipalities in the county. Nyack and Piermont were among the villages that moved their election to November.
— Mayor Bonnie Christian, Trustees Catherine McCue and Nancy Willen
