The New York City Charter Revision Commission will hold its last scheduled public hearing and meeting on Monday, August 23, 2010 at 6:00pm. It will take place at:
Baruch College, Newman Vertical Campus Conference Center
55 Lexington Avenue (enter at 24th Street & Lexington Ave)
14th Floor, Room 14-220
MANHATTAN
At that meeting, the Commission will receive public input on its work to date, and the Commission will vote on any remaining issues before it, including the adoption of a Final Report and ballot questions. The hearing is open to the public and will be streamed live via webcast through the Commission's website. Use the above link for the website.
I was interested in the following questions to be on the ballot:
Term Limits
Under existing charter provisions, as amended by a local law enacted by the Council in, 2008, City Council members and other elected City officials may currently serve up to three consecutive four year terms. Previously, a law enacted by voter initiative in 1993 established a limit of two four year terms for elected officials. In order to allow the electorate to choose between a two-term and a three-term limit, the Commission determined to place a proposal on the ballot to reduce the current limit of three consecutive terms for elected City officials to two consecutive full terms. Additionally, the proposal would prohibit the City Council from altering the term limit of incumbent elected officials; and provide that the proposed changes to two terms would apply to officials first elected to office after November 5, 2013.
Reducing Signature Requirements for Petitions
Voter turnout in City elections is dramatically low with only 26% of registered New Yorkers having voted in the last mayoral election. While the Commission explored a number of provisions designed to increase voter turnout, most of these would require a change in state law or the State Constitution. Some measures within the City’s jurisdiction to enact can apply only to city elections. Since virtually all city elections occur at the same time and place as state elections, the differing voting requirements present the potential for massive voter confusion. The Commission has, however, proposed a measure permitted under state law to enable candidates for City elections to get onto the ballot with a reduced number of petition signatures. The proposal reduces from 7,500 to 3,750 the number of signatures necessary to gain access to a party primary for the Mayor, Comptroller, and Public Advocate; reduces from 4,000 to 2,000 the number of signatures necessary to gain access to a party primary for Borough Presidents; and reduces from 900 to 450 the number of signatures necessary for Council members to gain access to a party primary, or to 2,700 for access to the general election ballot for independent candidates.
Use the above link to read the entire proposal with all the ballot questions.
I am disappointed that nonpartisan elections or Top Two did not make the 2010 ballot. But the fight will continue.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote!
Michael H. Drucker
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