In just a few days, early voting in New York will begin, running Oct. 24-Nov. 1. If you can’t get out to vote early, you can always vote on Election Day, Nov. 3. While there are very important races on the ballot, including governor, attorney general and numerous congressional seats, it is just as important for you to turn over your ballot and look at the five ballot proposals being presented. AmNews ran a longer piece recently explaining what these are, so we’ll summarize them here. They are as follows.
Proposal 1: Save small businesses time and money by making it easier to open outdoor dining and build accessible ramps. This means simplifying the process for businesses to obtain permission to use public spaces, like sidewalks and roadways, for outdoor dining, as well as making it easier to build accessibility ramps.
Proposal 2: Speed up city contracts so small businesses and nonprofits can deliver services more quickly. This means reducing the burdens on small businesses and nonprofits contracting with the government.
Proposal 3: Fast-track street safety projects and generate revenue from the sale of surplus lots and air rights by simplifying the review process to shorten construction timelines.
Proposal 4: Simplify construction permitting to speed up housing and bring the 40 approvals from 18 separate offices and agencies into one place.
Proposal 5: Set a target for the City’s rainy-day savings to strengthen our fiscal stability, aiming for 12% of total tax revenue to ensure long-term fiscal stability.
If you are looking for more information about the five ballot proposals, go to the Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE) website to read more at www.nyc.gov/site/charter/index.page
If you are looking for information as to where to vote, go to www.elections.ny.gov/early-voting. If you are interested in registering to vote so you can participate in this election season, you must hurry because the final day for voter registration in New York is Oct. 24. Go to www.vote.nyc/page/registration-deadlines to find out more.
Christina Greer, Ph.D., is a Professor at Fordham University; author; Senior Policy Fellow at Brooklyn Org; and co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC.
