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Expert: moving local elections to even years doubles turnout and increases representation
Summary
Professor Zoltan Bridal summarized research showing that moving local elections to even-year statewide election days roughly doubles turnout, brings a more representative electorate, and can save administrative costs, according to committee testimony.
Professor Zoltan Bridal, a political scientist who said he studies local turnout and election timing, told the Government Administration and Elections Committee that research consistently finds moving local elections to coincide with statewide (even-year) elections substantially increases turnout and improves representation.
"The move of local elections to the same day as statewide elections doubles or more than doubles voter turnout," Bridal told the committee, citing more than a dozen studies. He said on-cycle elections not only bring more voters to the polls but also a more diverse electorate — increasing participation by young people and underrepresented racial and ethnic groups — and can reduce administrative costs by consolidating election administration.
Committee members asked whether on-cycle elections import national partisanship into local races. Bridal said evidence does not support that concern; rather, a broader electorate often includes more independent and moderate voters and in some cases increases voter information about local affairs. He also said research shows an increase in underrepresented candidates running and winning in jurisdictions that shift on-cycle.
The committee did not vote on election timing reform; Bridal offered to share research resources and a website with members for further review.
