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Letter to the Community Regarding Ballot Initiative in November to Move Local Elections from March to November

June 24, 2026

Dear Neighbors,

As Village residents consider whether to support a ballot initiative allowing voters to decide this November whether Village elections should be moved from March to November, a few facts are worth considering:

Last year, a group of Bronxville residents collected the required number of signatures to place this question on the ballot. After a healthy and substantive community debate, the proposition lost by just two votes. For those of us who spent considerable time and energy on the issue, that was a disappointing result. But it also showed how close the Village is to making a change that would make it easier for many more residents to participate in choosing our local officials. For that reason, we believe the question is worth putting before voters again.

The central issue is turnout. March Village elections are typically decided by a very small share of Bronxville’s roughly 4,800 registered voters. Average turnout in March elections is under 16%. By contrast, turnout in November midterm elections is over 60%. The March electorate is also substantially older on average.

Moving elections to November would not guarantee any particular outcome, nor should it. It would simply mean that more Bronxville residents would more easily be able to participate in local democracy.

Some critics argue that Village elections should remain in March because local issues may be overshadowed by state and national politics in November. I understand that concern, but I do not share it. I have deep respect for Bronxville voters, and I believe we are fully capable of distinguishing between national, state, and local issues. Many residents may feel strongly about national politics while also supporting local candidates from a different party who serve the Village well. That’s certainly true within my own family. Voters can, as the saying goes, walk and chew gum at the same time.

The practical effect of holding elections in March is clear: Far fewer people vote and the electorate is older than it is in November. As an older voter myself, I believe the future of the Village should be decided by as broad a range of residents as possible.

Sincerely,

Philip von Mehren

 

 

 

Editor's note:  MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements in letters to the editor, and the opinions do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff. Its objective in publishing letters to the editor is to give air to diverse thoughts and opinions of residents in the community.

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Bronxville Overview

Bronxville is a quaint village (one square mile) located just 16 miles north of midtown Manhattan (roughly 30 minutes on the train) and has a population of approximately 6,500. It is known as a premier community with an excellent public school (K-12) and easy access to Manhattan. Bronxville offers many amenities including an attractive business district, a hospital (Lawrence Hospital), public paddle and tennis courts, fine dining at local restaurants, two private country clubs and a community library.

While the earliest settlers of Bronxville date back to the first half of the 18th century, the history of the modern suburb of Bronxville began in 1890 when William Van Duzer Lawrence purchased a farm and commissioned the architect, William A. Bates, to design a planned community of houses for well-known artists and professionals that became a thriving art colony. This community, now called Lawrence Park, is listed on the National register of Historic Places and many of the homes still have artists’ studios. A neighborhood association within Lawrence Park called “The Hilltop Association” keeps this heritage alive with art shows and other events for neighbors.

Bronxville offers many charming neighborhoods as well as a variety of living options for residents including single family homes, town houses, cooperatives and condominiums. One of the chief benefits of living in “the village” is that your children can attend the Bronxville School.

The Bronxville postal zone (10708, known as “Bronxville PO”) includes the village of Bronxville as well as the Chester Heights section of Eastchester, parts of Tuckahoe and the Lawrence Park West, Cedar Knolls, Armour Villa and Longvale sections of Yonkers. Many of these areas have their own distinct character. For instance, the Armour Villa section has many historic homes and even has its own newsletter called “The Villa Voice” which reports on neighborhood news.

Bronxville Village Government Directory

Village of Bronxville Administrative Offices
337-6500
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends

Bronxville Police Department
337-0500
Open 24 hours

Bronxville Parking Violations
337-2024
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends

Bronxville Fire Deparment
793-6400

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