On November 5, the day of the U.S. presidential election, New Yorkers will not just be marking their preferred presidential candidate on the ballot, but will also be voting on six ballot proposals, including the inclusion of abortion rights in the “New York State Constitution” through the “Equal Rights Amendment,” as well as the New York City Charter Revision Commission’s proposal to expand decision-making powers for the mayor and city government departments. It’s a crucial moment for New Yorkers to cast their decisive vote.
The New York City Campaign Finance Board, through its “NYC Vote” election activity page, has outlined the six ballot proposals, key election dates, and voting methods. The Epoch Times has compiled key points and controversies surrounding each ballot proposal to provide voters with essential information.
One of the ballot proposals aims to add an “anti-discrimination clause” to the “New York State Constitution,” covering race, nationality, age, disability, gender, including sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, reproductive health, and abortion rights.
There is controversy surrounding this proposal as New York State passed the “New York Equal Rights Amendment” in 2023, and it was put to a citizen vote this year. Referred to as “Proposal One,” the proposal is supported by various organizations including New York Attorney General Letitia James, the largest healthcare workers union 1199SEIU, the Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ, and the New York Immigration Coalition, advocating for non-discrimination in the New York State Constitution and safeguarding reproductive rights such as abortion, contraception, and in vitro fertilization.
However, opponents argue that the proposal’s scope is too broad and vague, potentially causing confusion.
Another proposal seeks to amend the “New York City Charter” to expand and establish the New York City Sanitation Department’s authority in cleaning streets and city properties, allowing for the regulation of waste disposal.
Should this proposal pass, the Sanitation Department would have increased authority in managing street cleanliness, parks, and highway medians in New York City, as well as enforcing rules on street vendors at these locations. This proposal would also empower the Sanitation Department to regulate trash disposal and collection by New Yorkers.
Furthermore, a proposal to amend the “City Charter” requires the City Council to conduct financial analyses before hearings and legal votes, authorizes the mayor to conduct financial analyses, and updates budget deadlines.
This proposal would allow the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget to estimate costs related to City Council proposals, and requires the City Council to disclose cost estimates before holding proposal hearings. This proposal would also extend the deadline for the new mayor’s team to submit their first-year budget report, and permanently extend the deadline for the mayor to publish the annual budget.
Another proposal specifies that the City Council must provide more notice and time before voting on proposals related to public safety operations of the New York City Police Department, Department of Correction, or Fire Department.
According to the proposal, the City Council must give a 30-day notice before voting on public safety proposals that affect the mentioned departments. During this period, the mayor and the affected city agencies can hold public hearings to gather more public input. Opponents argue that this proposal could lead to bureaucratic delays and allow the mayor to influence the City Council’s voting agenda.
Yet another proposal to amend the “New York City Charter” requires more detailed information to be provided during annual assessments of city facilities, mandates that facility needs inform capital planning, and updates the deadline for capital planning.
The city government would have to evaluate the costs of maintaining city facilities, infrastructure, and investments, publishing the assessment results in the capital planning report. If this proposal passes, the standards for evaluating maintenance costs of city properties would be expanded. This proposal would also change the deadline for the capital planning report and related public hearings.
Lastly, a proposal to amend the “New York City Charter” would establish a Chief Business Diversity Officer (CBDO), authorize the mayor to appoint an office responsible for issuing film permits, and merge with the Archives Committee.
If passed, this proposal would create a permanent Chief Business Diversity Officer appointed by the mayor. Opponents argue that the proposal combines unrelated issues into one and does not improve government processes or reduce bureaucracy. They suggest that board mergers could be handled administratively rather than through the Charter Revision Commission.
The 2024 election day is on November 5, with early voting in New York from October 26 to November 3. The deadline for voter registration/early mail-in voting/absentee ballot applications is October 26, while the deadline for voters to request absentee ballots and mail-in votes directly to the Board of Elections is November 4, with a mailing deadline of November 5.
For more information on the ballot proposals and voting procedures, please visit NYC Votes at: https://www.nycvotes.org/