Two New York State Board of Elections commissioners are calling for one combined presidential and congressional primary vote in 2016, saying it would save the Empire State an estimated $50 million.
The New York congressional primary is slated for June 28 with the presidential primary vote scheduled on April 26. Commissioners Andrew Spano and Douglas Kellner issued a statement asking Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state lawmakers to consider having one primary day as a way of saving taxpayers roughly $50 million while also encouraging more voter participation.
"Combining the presidential and federal primaries next year is a common-sense solution to saving New York taxpayers millions of dollars, avoiding voter fatigue which has contributed to decreasing turnout in recent years and relieves already burdened counties of an avoidable unfunded mandate," said Spano. "I am hopeful that the Legislature will act on this in the remaining days of their session."
The state Senate and Assembly are scheduled to close out their 2015 session on June 17.
