Tuesday, February 26, 2019

The vote for NYC public advocate is today



Updated 2/27: City Councilmember Jumaane Williams a Democrat, won the election with 32 percent of the vote.

The special election for public advocate is today in NYC. (Letitia James, the previous public advocate, was elected as state attorney general back in November.)

Why should we care about this election? What difference will my 2-3 votes make? Per Town & Village:

While this is a role with little governing power, it’s widely seen as a stepping stone for individuals looking to become mayor or to gain other prominent positions.

As to why New Yorkers should bother with this race, there is also the fact that the office exists to be a watchdog, a check on the mayor.

Meanwhile, the public advocate is also the first in line to assume the title of mayor if something were to happen to the mayor. The public advocate can also introduce and sponsor legislation.

So if you want a quickie refresher on the 17 (!!!!!) candidates before heading to the polls, here are some sources for you:

• Public advocate race cheat sheet (Town & Village)

• Everything you need to know about NYC’s public advocate special election (Curbed)

• Meet the NYC public advocate candidates (amNY)

• The race for public advocate: 10 candidates address street safety, transit (Streetsblog)

• How the public advocate candidates have tried to define themselves (Gotham Gazette)

• Some public advocate candidates won’t give up real estate cash (The Real Deal)

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. today.

4 comments:

stephen b said...

Thanks for this. It's strangely impossible to find this info, particularly all in one place.

Trixie said...

Piece of cake voting at Theater for the New City this morning: no waiting, everyone in a good mood, all machines working, etc. So let's vote people, for big elections as well as small. If nothing else it's practice, practice makes perfect, and it just might help us to form a more perfect union.

cmarrtyy said...

I voted today. I was one of 3. So just walk in and do your duty. I vote against ONE PARTY RULE. Felt great!

Brian said...

I voted for a Democratic party candidate, and it felt great too!