Brian Ler on WNYC.

Now we continue our 30 issues in 30 days election series.

Let the corporate media focus only on the polls.

We're doing an issue a day for 30 days until the Friday before election day.

And we're up to issue 18 here on day 18.

Should mayoral elections in New York City move to presidential election years?

That question is on the New York City ballot this year.

Voters are being asked whether the city should

move its current primary and general elections for a mayor in all municipal offices to even

numbered years, in particular presidential election years. The logic goes that those years see

significantly higher voter turnout than the current odd year system.

It's always the year after the presidential that we've been having mayoral elections in New York City.

So what's the effect of this?

Well, in the last general election, 2021, the New York City Campaign Finance Board reported that of the more than 4.9 million active registered voters,

only 1.147 million cast votes or reduced to a percentage, only 23% of eligible voters

showed up to vote for mayor in November of 2021. Now, cities like Baltimore and Los Angeles

recently changed their calendars in this way, but not everyone thinks it's a good idea.

Some think that national political issues would overshadow the local ones. So joining us now

to break down the ballot question and with more of those four and against arguments

and who's on what side is our own Bridget Bergen, Gothamist and WNYC, senior political correspondent.

Hey, Bridgett, welcome back to the show.

Good morning, Brian.

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