New York City is to start using Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV) starting with their June Citywide Primaries. First their Voting System has to be Updated and Tested for RCV and then Educate their Voters. But now there is a Special Election, in Feburary, for the City Council’s 24th District, which will be the First time RCV will be used, not alot of time to get ready.
Efforts to Postpone the introduction of RCV in New York City are Intensifying. Six City Council Members filed a Lawsuit to Halt its use in the February 2nd Special Election, but Effort Stalled.
Public Advocate voices Concerns about City's Readiness for Changes to Voting Process. Now, Daneek Miller (D-27th District) said he had sought to do the same by Legislation, but such a Draft "is being held from being introduced to the body by the legislative mechanisms of the institution."
On Thursday, Council Speaker, Corey Johnson (D-3rd District) said he believes only the Voters or Albany can put off RCV, but: “There’s not time to have another referendum to ask for a delay. I don’t know of any bills in the state Legislature that seek a delay.”
Miller is part of a Coalition arguing that the Lack of Education about RCV will Confuse and Disadvantage Non-White New Yorkers.
Johnson and Public Advocate, Jumaane Williams, both of whom Vocally Advocated in 2019 for RCV, agree that Informing the Public is crucial.
Williams appeared to have Less Faith in the City’s Readiness than Johnson. In tweets, he cited "real internal problems." He added, “We are deeply concerned with the ability of the city to make up for these failures in time for the upcoming special elections.”
Meanwhile, Johnson said, “If the city does its job in educating the public about ranked-choice voting, it should help us have elections in which more candidates have a shot at winning and campaigns are less negative.”
Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo (D-35th District) is among the Opponents who say that, though Voters Approved RCV in 2019 by 73%, the Low Turnout means there's No Mandate. “We certainly respect the will of the voters; the challenge that we have is that there was no outreach or education for voters who voted for ranked-choice voting in the first place.”
The Campaign Finance Board says it’s spending $2 Million on RCV Education plus $8 Million on the Voters’ Guide that includes Information on the Changes.
Still, that Total pales in Comparison to what Cumbo has noted was $40 Million spent on Outreach about the Importance of the Census.
The New System will allow Voters to Rank upto Five Candidates in Order of Preference.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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