Low Voter Turnout is a Recurring Theme at School Budget Votes Throughout Rivertowns
Low Voter Turnout is a Recurring Theme at School Budget Votes Throughout Rivertowns
Although most school budgets in NY State pass, it's not guaranteed
by Janine Annett
Rivertowns (Hastings-on-Hudson, Dobbs Ferry, Ardsley, and Irvington) — In New York, 99% of school budgets pass, according to the New York State United Teachers Union. But when voters don't turn out for such annual rites of municipal governance, a small bloc can have a big influence in determining the outcome.
In 2022, voters in Hastings-on-Hudson rejected a proposed school budget for the 2022-2023 school year by a narrow margin of 672-653. Turnout for a second vote on a revised budget was higher, and the budget passed 1,693-510. That means 2,203 people voted on the second school budget in a town with a population of 8,341 at the time.
The first school budget proposal was 5.68% larger than the previous year’s budget and would have resulted in a 3.1% increase in the tax levy that funds district expenditures. After that proposal was rejected, backers of the revised budget (a $528,000 decrease from the rejected budget, with only a 1.92% increase in the tax levy) mounted a concerted effort to get it to pass.
Despite the difficulties in 2022, turnout in 2023 was still low. 1,592 people voted in that year’s school budget election in Hastings, according to the New York State Education Department.
In neighboring towns, turnout for school budget votes is similar. In Dobbs Ferry, 1,053 residents voted in 2023 (out of a population of 11,337). In Ardsley, 650 residents (out of a population of 4,943) voted, and in Irvington, 593 residents voted (out of a population of 6,460) for school budgets. Currently, there are 5,973 registered voters in Hastings, 7,682 in Dobbs Ferry, 3,221 in Ardsley, and 4,899 in Irvington.
“Low voter turnout is an unfortunate systemic problem throughout this area — and indeed, throughout the whole country,” said Susan Maggiotto, President of the League of Women Voters of the Rivertowns.
In New York State, school budget voting typically occurs on the third Tuesday in May. This year, New Yorkers will head to the polls on May 21st to vote on school budgets. If the budget passes in a district, no further action is needed; if it doesn’t pass, school boards can present a revised budget for a second vote or craft a contingency budget if a proposed budget is rejected twice.
Information on the 2023-24 Hastings school budget can be found here.
Information on the 2023-24 Dobbs Ferry school budget can be found here.
Information on the 2023-24 Ardsley school budget can be found here.
Information on the 2023-24 Irvington school budget can be found here.
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