As the New York City Mayoral Charter Revision Commission prepares to produce their Final Report and the Ballot Questions for the 2018 General Election, the 2019 City Council Charter Revision Commission had their first Meeting. Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV) and an Independent Redistricting Commission didn't make the Ballot for 2018.
The Charter did Not Include:
Ranked Choice Voting
Ranked Choice Voting Whereas, the Commission received public comments from experts, elected officials, advocacy groups and members of the public proposing that the City adopt ranked choice voting in municipal elections; and Whereas, many commenters suggested that the adoption of ranked choice voting would have potential benefits for the administration of municipal elections, including broader voter engagement and participation, reduction of negative campaigning, consensus building, providing voters with more opportunities to select preferences among candidates and the administrative efficiency of eliminating the need for separate run-off elections; and Whereas, based on available research, ranked choice voting is not implemented uniformly among the jurisdictions that have adopted it, with variations ranging from the number of candidates voters may rank to the composition of the ballot, and some jurisdictions have abandoned the use of ranked choice voting after its adoption; and Whereas, based on available research, there are significant open questions regarding the impact that such a change would have on voters and candidates, including questions regarding the impacts on minority voters and vulnerable populations; and Whereas, based on available research, there are significant open questions regarding the operational feasibility of implementing ranked choice voting in a city on the scale of New York, including questions regarding vote tabulation timeframes and auditing procedures; Now, therefore, be it RESOLVED that the New York City Charter Revision Commission directs the staff to carefully address this promising approach to improving the administration of municipal elections in the Commission’s Final Report with a recommendation that such a proposal be considered by a future Charter Revision Commission or other legislative body.
Independent Redistricting
The Districting Process Whereas, the Commission received many public comments proposing that the Commission propose changes to the districting process; and Whereas, the Commission heard compelling testimony that a fair and independent districting process is critical to a well-functioning local democracy; and Whereas, several commenters expressed concern that the districting process be amended to ensure that due consideration be given to the voting power of racial and ethnic minority groups; and Whereas, other commenters suggested changes to the appointment process and other changes to districting requirements designed to make the districting commission more independent; and Whereas, the overall variety of the comments submitted to the Commission has demonstrated that there are many ways to approach redistricting reform; and Whereas, New York City is unique in its size and diversity, and any proposed reform that looks to the models of other jurisdictions must be evaluated for impacts specific to New York City and its local communities; and Whereas, input from local communities, including communities of color, elected officials, political parties, former members of districting commissioners, experts and other important stakeholders is necessary to evaluate any proposed reform to the City’s districting process; Now, therefore, be it RESOLVED that the New York City Charter Revision Commission directs the staff to carefully address the variety of redistricting reforms presented to the Commission in the Commission’s Final Report, with a recommendation that redistricting reform be considered by a future Charter Revision Commission.
The 2019 Commission, made up of Members appointed by the Mayor, the Speaker of the City Council, All Five Borough Presidents, the Public Advocate, and the Comptroller, has a broad Mandate to Conduct a Top-to-Bottom Review and will bring its Recommendations to the Public in November 2019.
Public Meeting July 16, 2018, City Hall
September 2018 Hearings - All Hearings will begin at 6pm, Venue Details (TBD)
Bronx - Sept. 12th
Brooklyn - Sept. 17th
Queens - Sept. 20th
Staten Island - Sept. 24th
Manhattan - Sept. 27th
So are next shot at RCV and the Independent Redistricting Commission are these meetings.
CLICK HERE for the more information about the Charter Revision Commission 2019, Meet its Members, and Submit your Ideas.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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