From The Mayor: Vote "No" to Moving Local Elections from March to November
By Mary Marvin, Mayor of Bronxville
Oct. 6, 2026: New York State permits any group of residents to collect 400 signatures to require the Village to place a resolution on the November ballot to move local elections to November to coincide with national and state races. In 2025, the Village received such a petition, which was narrowly defeated. Its supporters have decided to renew their efforts.
Last year, it was put forward in the framework of an organic movement, but such is not the case this year as 97% of the signatures garnered were the result of efforts of 34 individuals, 33 of which were registered Democrats with 12 of the folks Democratic Party district leaders or party officers.
Moving Local Election from March to November Will Chip Away at Our Village Character, Independent Spirit, and Emphasis on Local Issues and Concerns
I have never felt so strongly about an issue in my entire tenure in Village government; I urge you not to change a 125-year history that has served us so well. I believe moving local elections from March to November will chip away at our Village character, our defining independent spirit, and honestly a little bit of our identity, as the emphases on local issues, local concerns and local caring for each other are major reasons people choose to call Bronxville their forever home.
Moving Local Election to November is Spearheaded by One Party and Will Result in Voting Along Party Lines
Bronxville’s experience with this proposition mirrors 100% of the communities putting forward this change statewide as all efforts have been spearheaded by the political party in the community that currently has the advantage in voter registration.
Polling my colleagues in state and local government and experts in polling, those in favor of the change as well as those opposed all agreed that the most likely outcome of a November move is voting along party lines particularly when voters are new to a community or less familiar with a candidate’s record or have a desire to make a national statement on the local level.
I continue to look at this issue through the lens of “Is it best for Bronxville in the long term?” My analysis is “No,” as I believe the negatives far outweigh the perceived benefits of putting the election of a Trustee on the same ballot with the election of a President.
Moving Local Election from March to November Means Political Party with Upper Hand in National Politics Will Have Upper Hand in Bronxville and Take Focus Away from Local Issues
One of the reasons proffered to move the vote is that it would put us in line with many of our neighboring communities. Personally, I treasure the fact that we have our own character and we are not in lock step with anyone.
Passage of this proposition will far transcend my tenure in Village government, and I believe the downsides will be lasting and serve to define the character of our Village in a negative way.
Local government is not something that happens to us. It is us and we can’t let the people who significantly impact your life on a daily basis by spending your tax dollars and deciding what services and programs you receive be the last ones on your ballot to be drowned out by national political party noise and billion-dollar spending.
I cannot leave my job feeling that whatever political party has the upper hand in national politics will always have the upper hand in Bronxville.
Current Village Board Has Multi-Party Representation and Independent Spirit
Currently, our Board of Trustees – one that is a countywide model for civil discourse and the envy of our colleagues in Westchester – is composed of two registered Democrats, one Republican, and two non-affiliated members, and I would argue each person was selected based on their dedication, their skill sets, and on the principle of merit with no regard to national party affiliation.
It's Important to Think and Vote Local: Let's Not Ruin a Great Thing
This independent spirit has worked so well for this Village for 125 years. Let’s not ruin a good thing. Our ancillary boards – Planning, Zoning, Design Review, and Ethics actually tilt towards Democratic registration as everyone was picked for their devotion, their measured judgement, and knowledge, and they work seamlessly together.
Thinking and Voting Local in Bronxville Has Resulted in High Bond Rating and Robust Property Values
Thinking and voting local has resulted in our Village retaining the highest bond rating in the County as well as keeping municipal taxes at a level of just 15 cents of every tax dollar of your total tax burden while maintaining robust property values.
As we enter the last month before the November 3rd election, I respectfully ask you to consider all aspects of this issue as it will have a lasting impact on local government.
For additional information, click here for the Village website.
