ALBANY — Voters cast their ballots for a series of local races on Tuesday, selecting their town, county and state court officials. But a bill that passed the New York state legislature this year would move many of those elections into even years, putting town supervisors and county legislators on the same ballot as House representatives and senators and presidents.

Proponents, including the bill’s sponsor in the state Senate, Sen. James Skoufis, D-Middletown, have called for local elections to move into the busier even years to boost voter participation.

“Studies have consistently shown that voter turnout is the highest on the November election day in even-numbered years when elections for state and/or federal offices are held,” he said in the justification attached to the bill. “Holding local elections at the same time will make the process less confusing for voters and will lead to greater citizen participation in local elections.”

The bill, which has been voted down or tabled each session since 2015 before it passed this year, would not apply to city or village elections, nor county clerk, sheriff, district attorney or judge positions. Most of those are subject to constitutionally-set off-year elections, but some officials have expressed interest in moving those offices into even years, too.

That can only happen if two subsequent legislatures vote to pass a measure to put a ballot proposal out for voters to decide on, taking at least five years.

But Assemblyman Scott A. Gray, R-Watertown, and most of his Republican colleagues in the state Senate and Assembly disagree with Skoufis and state Democrats who support the plan to consolidate all elections to even years. They have said they’re worried making such a move would overwhelm voters and put national issues over local ones.

“Local elections have historically provided the opportunity for direct representation and decision-making by our communities,” Gray said in a public letter Tuesday. “By aligning them with larger state and federal elections, local issues risk becoming overshadowed by more prominent campaigns, diluting the power of our constituents in shaping their neighborhoods, towns and villages.”

In a statement shared Tuesday evening, Skoufis said he doesn’t think that argument makes sense, and was critical of Gray and the Republicans who oppose his bill.

“Local issues do not get the attention they deserve when only 15% or 20% of people turn out to vote, the turnout does these issues a grave disservice,” he said.

He also said that Republicans have often used national issues to campaign against Democrats in local elections for years, including town and county races. He was dismissive of the concern that national issues might drown out local ones with that in mind.

“How convenient that (Republicans) have now seen the light and so dearly value campaigning on truly local issues,” he said. “Give me a break.”

Skoufis said, despite any arguments to support the view that elections should be kept separate, he feels its evident that opponents of his plan want fewer people to vote.

“The objective question to ask is, simply, why?” he said.

Gray asked that Gov. Kathleen C. Hochul veto the measure when it makes it to her desk. The legislation was passed earlier this year in June, but bills are typically sent to the Governor for final approval in small groups over the last half of the year, and this one has not yet been sent.

“I urge Governor Hochul to prioritize the principles of participatory democracy and truly consider the potential consequences of this bill,” he said. “Additionally, I encourage fellow community members to contact the Governor and voice their concerns about this legislation and urge her to veto this legislation.”

A spokesperson for the governor’s office on Tuesday said she was still reviewing the legislation and would not comment further.