Op-Ed: The back of our ballot in NYC

Op-Ed by Pat Arnow 

Even the most informed NYC voters might overlook key proposals tucked on the back of this year's ballot. These measures are significant, so don't forget to flip your ballot and make your voice heard. 

Here’s what's up as early voting begins on Saturday: 

Proposal 1 

VOTE YES on the State Equal Rights Amendment to the state Constitution.

Equality for all under the law seems like it would be straightforward and popular, but big money is being spent to defeat it. 

Opponents warn that "the law would undermine 'parents' rights' and allow transgender kids to participate in girls' sports teams. The nonpartisan New York City Bar Association says those claims are false," according to Gothamist.   

Proposals 2-6

VOTE NO on NYC Charter proposals. 

"Mayor Adams rushed revisions to change NYC's charter (our constitution) to give the current and future mayors more unchecked power, weaken checks-and-balances, and make it harder for city government to deliver for New Yorkers. The proposals came out of the most rushed and undemocratic charter revision process of the past 20 years and should never have been fast-tracked to our ballots." (from the Grand Street Democrats) 

Here's the text of Proposal 1, the ERA to the NY State Constitution: § 11. a. No person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws of this state or any subdivision thereof. No person shall, because of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, creed [or], religion, or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy, be subjected to any discrimination in [his or her] their civil rights by any other person or by any firm, corporation, or institution, or by the state or any agency or subdivision of the state, pursuant to law. 

Proposals 2-6: They sound innocuous, even beneficial, but they're destructive and a power grab by the mayor. 

Proposal 2: "This proposal would amend the City Charter to expand and clarify the Department of Sanitation's power to clean streets and other City property and require disposal of waste in containers." One of the several problems with this initiative, according to The City, is increased ticketing (harassment) of street vendors and small businesses. 

Proposal 3: "This proposal would amend the City Charter to require fiscal analysis from the Council before hearings and votes on laws, authorize fiscal analysis from the Mayor, and update budget deadlines."

According to The City, "Opponents of Prop 3 say that requiring the executive branch to submit a budget estimate before a public hearing on a bill is held will just delay lawmaking processes that already take years...Jason Otaño, general counsel for the City Council, testified at one of the Charter Revision Commission hearings that Prop 3 would give the mayor's office a 'de facto veto' of proposed legislation…"

Proposal 4: This proposal would require additional public notice and time before the City Council votes on laws respecting the public safety operations of the Police, Correction, or Fire Departments.

According to The City, "City and State reported that opponents felt that the Adams administration was pushing this proposal in direct response to two specific laws passed by City Council earlier this year: one that requires the NYPD to report on lower-level encounters with residents and another which bans solitary confinement. Adams vetoed both those laws, and the City Council then overrode him."

Proposal 5: "This proposal would amend the City Charter to require more detail in the annual assessment of City facilities, mandate that facility needs inform capital planning, and update capital planning deadlines." 

From No Power Grab NY: "The mayor's charter commission claimed that Proposal 5 was based on a recommendation from the city’s Comptroller (the city’s top financial executive)." 

Comptroller Brad Lander’s statement reads in part: "Requiring the Citywide Statement of Needs to include additional detail on facility condition is meaningless for capital budget planning purposes — since these are in fact the projects that the City has already decided need to be improved and to invest funds to do so…"

Proposal  6: "This proposal would amend the City Charter to establish the Chief Business Diversity Officer (CBDO), authorize the mayor to designate the office that issues film permits, and combine archive boards." 

From No Power Grab NY: "Proposition 6 is a collection of three totally unrelated items. It claims to support Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs), but really only renames and largely restates the role of a mayoral office. This gives the illusion of change without additional concrete support for MWBEs." 

For more on what these proposals will do and objections to them, here are several resources and published reports cited above:

• A Guide to the Six Ballot Questions New Yorkers Will Vote on in 2024 (The City) 

• Why New Yorkers Should Vote 'No' on Proposals 2 Through 6 (NYCLU)

• 2024 NYC General Election Ballot Proposals (New York City Council) 

• VOTE NO on Props 2-6 — What You Need to Know (No Power Grab NYC, PDF)

So be sure when you vote to flip your ballot and vote on these propositions! 

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Pat Arnow is a Lower East Side resident, park advocate and founder of East River Park Action.

It's National Voter Registration Day!

Photo by Derek Berg 

It's National Voter Registration Day, so you may see volunteers around the neighborhood (and city) helping people check their voting status. You can also do this online.

Reminders: It's Primary Election Day

FYI: Primary Election Day is today (June 25). Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

The primaries include state-level seats as well as Congressional contests. 

Races here are Representative in Congress 10th Congressional District (Democratic primary) and Judge of the Civil Court — 2nd Municipal Court District (Alice Tam Tien and Harold Bahr). 

As we noted, several statewide candidates are unopposed in the primary and will not appear on the ballot, including Kirsten Gillibrand for reelection to the U.S. Senate, Brian Kavanagh for reelection to the New York State Senate, and Deborah Glick for reelection to the New York State Assembly. 

You can find your poll site here. Vote.NYC has more info here.

Early voting ends Sunday ahead of Primary Election Day on June 25

Registered voters can cast their ballots as early voting continues through Sunday, June 23. Primary Election Day is next Tuesday, when polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

The primaries include state-level seats as well as Congressional contests. 

Races here are Representative in Congress 10th Congressional District (Democratic primary) and Judge of the Civil Court — 2nd Municipal Court District (Alice Tam Tien and Harold Bahr). 

Here's a sample ballot...

Several statewide candidates are unopposed in the primary and will not appear on the ballot, including Kirsten Gillibrand for reelection to the U.S. Senate, Brian Kavanagh for reelection to the New York State Senate, and Deborah Glick for reelection to the New York State Assembly. 

You can find your poll site here. Vote.NYC has more info here.

Election Day

Today (Nov. 8!), NYC will vote in a general election for federal and statewide offices including U.S. Congress, Governor, ballot proposals and more.

Polls are open on Election Day from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Find your poll site here. 

You can find more info about the candidates and issues via NYC Votes.

Hey, it's primary election day!

The first of two 2022 primary elections is today (June 28) for state and Assembly offices. The primaries for congressional (including the 10th Congressional District with candidates including de Blasio, Rivera, etc.) and state Senate openings were pushed back to Aug. 23 due to New York State redistricting issues. 

Polls are open today from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Find your poll site via this link (unless you voted early already!). 

Anyway, you likely know about the race for governor, lieutenant governor and the Assembly. There's also a lesser-known slate of judicial candidates. City & State has a primer on those races. You can find a regiular ol' primary primer via the Times right here. 

Screengrab courtesy of Duran Duran side project Arcadia... the best Duran Duran side project aside from the Power Station.

Primary Day

Our unscientific poll of TWO EVG readers finds that it been slow-going so far at the polls, which are open to 9 p.m. 

Among other races (public advocate, comptroller, borough president and city council, DA), voters will be picking the Democratic and Republican candidates for mayor. 

And a ballot primer ...

As you're voting today, you may have a two-sheet ballot. Here are a few things to remember:

- Complete both sides of your ballots.
- Insert ballots into the scanner one sheet at a time, and wait for the "thank you" screen before inserting a second sheet. pic.twitter.com/zO5Wb57A63

— NYC Board of Elections (@BOENYC) June 22, 2021

Vote or...

As a reminder, the early voting period runs though Sunday. 

The hours: 

• Friday, Oct. 30 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 31 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
• Sunday, Nov. 1 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Our local polling location, where Son of 7th took the above photo, is at Campos Plaza Community Center on 13th Street between Avenue B and Avenue C. We heard that there was a minimum wait today... and if anyone else wants to chime in about their early-voting experience in the comments...

And find your absentee ballot info at this link. 

12th Street hosting a voter registration drive this weekend

The East 12th Street Block Association, in conjunction with the community gardens between Avenue A and Avenue B and the East Village Vintage Collective, is hosting a voter registration drive this weekend (Saturday and Sunday!) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There will be two locations for registrations on each side of the street (one is to be in front of the El Sol Brillante community garden).

Per the invite: "As this is such a crucial election, we must do all we can to ensure people are registered and VOTE."

The East Village Vintage Collective, pictured above, is at 545 E. 12th St. between A and B.

Reminders: It's Primary Election Day

Polls are now open from 6:00 a.m. to 9 p.m. Visit nyc.pollsitelocator.com to find your poll site and use this site for other questions.

PSA: Today is the deadline to request your absentee ballot for this month’s primaries

Yes, as the headline states: Today is the deadline to request your absentee ballot for this month’s primaries on June 23.

To prevent the community spread of COVID-19, all registered voters — courtesy of the Governor’s Executive Order 202.15 — may apply for an absentee ballot.

You may put in the request at this link.

Per the instructions:

If you are affected by COVID-19, please check the box for “Temporary Illness” on the application. The definition has been temporarily expanded to include those affected by COVID-19 and/or the potential of contracting the virus.

Also! The website can be used only by registered New York City voters to apply for an absentee ballot for the June 23, 2020 elections.

Meanwhile, polls remain open through June 21 for early voting. Find a voting guide here.

Remember to vote today!

Polls are open today (Nov. 5!) from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in what promises to be a pretty slow day at the ballot boxes.

As City Limits points out, though: "Those voters who do show up will make important decisions on citywide offices, changes to the city’s governing structure and judicial posts."

Among those offices is public advocate. Letitia James, the previous public advocate, was elected as state attorney general in November 2018. City Councilmember Jumaane Williams won a special election in February, and is seeking to serve out the remainder of James’ term, which ends on Dec. 31, 2021.

Anyway, the office of the public advocate exists to be a watchdog, a check on the mayor. The public advocate is also the first in line to assume the title of mayor if something were to happen to said mayor.

City Limits has a nice voters' guide, which you can find at this link.

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.

All 3 NYC ballot measures approved yesterday

[Photo on 1st Avenue yesterday by Peter Brownscombe]

Voters yesterday approved three proposals that came via the Charter Review Commission

As a recap about what they are:

Proposal 1: Campaign Finance

This proposal would lower the amount that a candidate for city office may accept from a contributor to their campaign, increase the amount of public funds available to participating candidates, and make public funds available earlier. Candidates in the 2021 election would have the choice of whether or not to have the new limits apply to them.

Proposal 2: Civic Engagement Commission

This proposal would create a Civic Engagement Commission that would centralize civic engagement initiatives, create a citywide participatory budgeting program, assist community boards, and provide language interpreters throughout the city on Election Day.

Proposal 3: Community Boards

This proposal would change how community boards throughout the city are run, by imposing term limits on appointees, changing the application and appointment process for community board members, and require the Civic Engagement Commission (if Question 2 is approved) to provide resources to community boards.

Per NY1:

Eighty percent of New Yorkers voted "yes" on the first proposal, which cuts the maximum amount of campaign contributions allowed for candidates running for city office.

The second would create a civic engagement commission, which would also allow residents to vote on how to spend city funds.

It won approval by 65 percent of voters.

And 72 percent of voters said "yes" to the last provision.

It would apply term limits to members of the city's 59 community boards.

You can find a full list of the Election Day results for New York here.

Election Day

At Evelyn & Louis Green Residence at Cooper Square and Fifth Street this morning around 9... photos via Derek Berg...

Today: VOTE

[Spotted on Avenue C and Seventh Street]

As you may have heard... the midterm elections are today... and in NYC, polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Board of Elections has this site for you to find your polling location.

Aside from all the various races — WNYC has a guide to the candidates here — there are three ballot measures for NYC voters:

Proposal 1: Campaign Finance

This proposal would lower the amount that a candidate for city office may accept from a contributor to their campaign, increase the amount of public funds available to participating candidates, and make public funds available earlier. Candidates in the 2021 election would have the choice of whether or not to have the new limits apply to them.

Proposal 2: Civic Engagement Commission

This proposal would create a Civic Engagement Commission that would centralize civic engagement initiatives, create a citywide participatory budgeting program, assist community boards, and provide language interpreters throughout the city on Election Day.

Proposal 3: Community Boards

This proposal would change how community boards throughout the city are run, by imposing term limits on appointees, changing the application and appointment process for community board members, and require the Civic Engagement Commission (if Question 2 is approved) to provide resources to community boards.

Term limits for Community Boards is of particular interest... Curbed has an explainer here looking at the argument for and against term limits. (FWIW: The Orchard Street Block Association is for term limits.)

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UPDATED 11/7: All three ballot measures were approved by voters.

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For inspiration, longtime New Yorker contributor Roger Angell is 98 and legally blind, and he's voting today. Read his latest essay here.

And lastly... there are numerous voting-related deals today ... including a free day pass from Citi Bike (if you download the app) ... or 10-percent off (with an I Voted sticker) at Academy Records on 12th Street and Limited To One Record Store on 10th Street... or a free coffee at Black Seed Bagels on First Avenue... at the UCB Theatre on Avenue A, you can show your I Voted sticker to their box office staff to get in for free to any show tonight (subject to venue capacity)...

Today is Primary Election Day

You are getting sleepy... You will vote on Thursday, September 13th in the New York Primary. You will vote on Thursday. You will vote on Thursday. You will get out the vooooote. pic.twitter.com/Tp9N3cTQsD

— Brian Lehrer Show (@BrianLehrer) September 10, 2018

And starting the day off with a cat GIF from Brian Lehrer.

So the state’s primary election is today. (The general election is on Nov. 6.)

Here is the official list of candidates for every race via the Board of Elections.

There are several places to find more reader-friendly primary guides, such as at Curbed ... Gothamist ... The Villager and the Gotham Gazette.

Polls are open today from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. You can find your polling site via this link.

And you can bring your "I Voted" sticker over to 99 Favor Taste on St. Mark's Place for your free barbecue and hot pot.

A free buffet for voters at 99 Favor Taste on St. Mark's Place

[Photo by Steven]

The owners of 99 Favor Taste at 37 St. Mark's Place at Second Avenue want you to vote.

As the banner above the entryway declares: "You vote, buffet on me!" The deal is good during the primary election on Sept. 13 as well as the general election on Nov. 6.

The restaurant, which offers traditional Korean-style barbecue and Chinese hot pot meals at multiple NYC locations, opened here in July 2017.

Aside from a free meal for voting, 99 Favor Taste also comps your meal on your birthday.

Prepping for Election Day

As you may have noticed, tomorrow is Election Day in NYC.

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. You can find out where you need to vote here.

Curbed has a general NYC voting guide here.

Among the races of interest around here, with info via the Gotham Gazette...

City Council District 2 open seat (held by Rosie Mendez):
Carlina Rivera, Democrat & Working Families
Jimmy McMillan, Republican & Rent is 2 Damn High
Donald Garrity, Libertarian
Manny Cavaco, Green
Jasmin Sanchez, Liberal

Mayor:
Bill de Blasio, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families
Nicole Malliotakis, Republican & Conservative & Stop de Blasio
Bo Dietl, Dump the Mayor
Sal Albanese, Reform
Aaron Commey, Libertarian
Akeem Browder, Green
Mike Tolkin, Smart Cities
(Dr. Robbie Gosine is waging a write-in campaign)

This piece in am New York touches upon some of the topics in the mayoral race.

Hey, it's Primary day

The polls opened this morning at 6 for the New York primary today... (and they are open until 9 p.m.)

There have been some registration issues... which, combined with the interest in the races, "could cause long lines and major confusion at the polls," as Gothamist noted.

Anyone have any reports from the neighborhood polling places? Are the voting machines working? Any new dessert places open while you were in line?

Anyway, as noted earlier, you may watch the primary results tonight at La Plaza Cultural.