City Council Primary Elections
What was at stake in the June 27, 2023 Primaries?
I was stunned by the low voter turnout for the primary elections on June 27, 2023. When I dug into the turnout for primaries in the last three years, I noticed that primary election turnouts are typically very low, ranging between 15% - 27% from 2020 - 2022.1 However, this year’s primary was exceptionally lackluster, with fewer than 200,000 voters coming to the polls.2
So, if you missed the memo or didn't even realize these elections were happening, you were not alone. I think that many people either knew that these were happening or didn't know whom they were voting for. So, my goal is to provide a brief summary of the elections and what is at stake.
So what were the primaries on June 27,2023?
I must admit, not all primaries that not all primaries are created equal. The 2021 Democratic primaries attracted more voters, mainly because it was a hotly contested battle for Mayor of NYC, resulting in a comparatively impressive turnout of over 1 million eager participants.3
Now, let's fast forward to the June 27, 2023 primaries, where the spotlight shifted to the City Council seats. It seems the city couldn't wait for another two years to stir things up because this term's City Council elections came two years earlier thanks to some redistricting following the 2020 Census.
So what is the city council?
The New York City Council is where legislative magic happens. It is comprised of 51 council members and serves as the primary law making institution at the local level. The council members are elected by the residents of their districts generally for four-year terms, and serve two years to allow for redistricting.
The City Council holds significant powers. They can pass laws, give the nod to the city's annual budget, and even decide the fate of land use and zoning.4 The council members are like the guardians of Gotham, where they represent the interests of their constituents and play a crucial role in shaping policies that impact the daily lives of New Yorkers. They hold regular public hearings and meetings to gather input from the community and make informed decisions on a wide range of issues, such as housing, education, transportation, and public safety.
Additionally, the City Council interacts heavily with the mayor. They are involved in the approval process of mayoral appointments to key positions within the city government and help ensure transparency and accountability in the administration. The council members also collaborate with the Mayor's Office, city agencies, and other stakeholders to develop legislation and initiatives that promote the well-being of the city and its residents. The City Council also has the power to override mayoral vetoes with a two-thirds majority vote, keeping the balance of power in check.
So what is redistricting?
Redistricting in NYC refers to the process of redrawing the boundaries of electoral districts within the city. It is an important undertaking that occurs every ten years following the release of new population data from the U.S. Census.5 The purpose of redistricting is to ensure that each district has roughly equal population representation, as mandated by the principle of "one person, one vote."6
The 2020 census brought some interesting news to the table: New York's population grew by 7.7% to reach a staggering 8.8 million people.7 However, this growth didn't occur evenly across all council districts. As a result, redistricting became necessary, and with it came the prospect of another round of city council member elections.
This redistricting season must have been a cartographer's dream, because there were several proposals on the table, each vying to be the perfect city council district map. You can see how the lines of your district changed and explore the different proposals using the Redistricting & You Tool.8 It provides a visual representation of the evolving district boundaries, the proposed lines, and the approved district boundaries.
For instance, District 26 consists mainly of Long Island City, Sunnyside, Astoria, and Woodside. There were plans to include Roosevelt Island, and parts of the Upper East Side. The approved plans, however, left the district for the most part unchanged.
So why should I care?
In essence, the New York City Council plays a vital role in our democracy, functioning as a representative body with legislative powers, oversight responsibilities, and collaborative efforts with other branches of government to address the needs of our city and its residents.
These council members hold significant sway over our daily lives, influencing decisions regarding local laws, budgets, public services, and development projects. By actively participating in the primary elections, we have the opportunity to voice our preferences and contribute to the selection of candidates who will genuinely represent our interests and make important decisions on our behalf.
The allocation of the city's budget is yet another key responsibility of the council. They determine how resources are distributed among essential programs and services such as public schools, parks, housing initiatives, and community projects. By actively participating in the primary elections, we can exercise our influence in electing candidates who share our vision for responsible and effective budget management, ensuring that our tax dollars are allocated in a manner that reflects our collective priorities.9
Ultimately, the primary elections hold the power to shape the future of our city. These elections are also a chance for us to keep our current council members accountable. If we feel dissatisfied with their performance or decisions. The primary elections grant us the opportunity to voice our concerns and explore alternative candidates who we believe will better serve our communities' interests. They provide us with the chance to support candidates who share our values, aspirations, and dedication to building a stronger and more abundant New York City. Let us embrace this opportunity with consideration, casting our votes to shape the city's future and create a better tomorrow for all.
So what, it’s over - what can we do now?
There is a lot you can do!
First, find out what is your city council district and who your city council member is using the Find My District Tool.10
Great write up!
I was struck by how few of the city’s council districts actually had competitive primary elections this year. I did some analysis and found that in 63% of city council districts the incumbent is running for re-election without facing any primary challengers. So most New Yorkers didn’t actually even have a primary election to vote in! My piece on the topic here: https://www.sidewalkchorus.com/p/new-yorks-city-council-elections
I know there is a proposal to move some of New York State’s non-NYC municipal elections to align with the federal election schedule. Do you think that would help or hinder participation?
Thanks for writing this! Yeah like Sebastian mentioned -- the ballot was a little weird for districts with an uncontested primary (my ballot had only one race to vote on -- a judge). Would be nice if there was a little more to vote on given the effort it takes to register and vote!