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Letter to the Community In Support of Keeping the Timing of Local Election in March

June 17, 2026

To the Editor:

As someone who was born, raised, and returned to Bronxville, I care deeply about preserving what makes our village unique. That is why I oppose the latest effort to move Bronxville's elections from March to November.

At first glance, the proposal sounds reasonable. Who wouldn't want more participation? But the real question is whether Bronxville's local government should be decided in an election focused on Bronxville or buried beneath state and national politics.

Village government is different. Trustees make decisions about our roads, infrastructure, public safety, taxes, downtown, and quality of life. Those issues deserve their own election and the full attention of Bronxville voters.

During the last petition effort, I heard from residents who felt social pressure to sign despite having concerns about the proposal. Others told me they signed simply to allow the question to move forward, not because they supported changing the election date. Signing a petition should never be confused with supporting the outcome.

Residents should also be aware that many of the same people who previously sought to move Bronxville's elections are once again circulating petitions. While they are certainly entitled to advocate for their position, the fact that an idea is repeated does not make it right. The question remains the same as it was then: is Bronxville better served by a dedicated local election focused on village issues, or by folding those elections into a November ballot dominated by state and national politics?

I have also heard proponents describe March elections as voter suppression. I respectfully disagree. Every eligible Bronxville voter can vote. Polling locations are accessible, absentee voting is available, and election dates are announced well in advance. Reasonable people can disagree about whether March or November is preferable, but calling a long-standing local election schedule voter suppression diminishes the meaning of that term and distracts from the real debate.

The answer to increasing participation is not making village elections less local. The answer is encouraging more residents to become informed, engaged, and involved in village affairs. When candidates present clear choices and do the work of reaching voters, residents show up.

Bronxville has always taken pride in local, independent government. Our elections should be decided by neighbors discussing village issues. We have long valued independent, community-driven elections: neighbors talking to neighbors, not parties fighting for power.

Our village may only be one square mile, but it is ours. Let's keep our elections focused on Bronxville, accountable to Bronxville, and decided by the people who call Bronxville home.

Sincerely,

Rob Deichert Jr.
Bronxville Resident
Born, Raised, Returned

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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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