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?
Thank you!! That’s a great question - I think it would mean more people vote but I do think some of the issues with people not voting is an education issue, where they may not be informed about who or what they are voting for. What are your thoughts?
I think that doing NYC’s municipal elections at the same time as federal elections would almost certainly increase the number of people casting votes in municipal elections. However, it would mean that municipal candidates would be competing for voters’ attention at the same time as voters are deciding who to elect to congress and the presidency, which might make it harder for municipal candidates to get attention.
On balance, I think I’d favor doing all the elections at the same time.
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!
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?
Thank you!! That’s a great question - I think it would mean more people vote but I do think some of the issues with people not voting is an education issue, where they may not be informed about who or what they are voting for. What are your thoughts?
I think that doing NYC’s municipal elections at the same time as federal elections would almost certainly increase the number of people casting votes in municipal elections. However, it would mean that municipal candidates would be competing for voters’ attention at the same time as voters are deciding who to elect to congress and the presidency, which might make it harder for municipal candidates to get attention.
On balance, I think I’d favor doing all the elections at the same time.
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!