Though the presidential election will be first on everyone’s minds come November 5, it’s not the only issue up for a vote on Election Day. On the backside of your ballot, New Yorkers will be able to vote directly on six proposed changes to the NY state constitution or the New York City Charter. Here’s what you should know about Propositions 1 – 6:
Prop. 1, which supporters call the Equal Rights Amendment, would amend the New York State Constitution to explicitly guarantee protections from discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, age, disability and sex. It would also enshrine the legal right to an abortion in the state constitution. Although New York State already has broad anti-discrimination laws and abortion protections, supporters argue a constitutional amendment holds significantly more power and permanence. Opponents, on the other hand, have voiced concern that the proposition would give more medical autonomy to minors, in particular transgender youth.
Prop. 2 would give increased power to the Department of Sanitation to enforce regulations on cleanliness and trash disposal. It would also give them more power to ticket street vendors, which opponents say will lead to more targeting of a largely immigrant workforce. Supporters of this proposition hope its passage increases the rate of trash collection and improves city cleanliness, emphasizing the need for better waste management in NYC.
Prop. 3 would require the city’s executive branch to submit a Fiscal Impact Statement evaluating the cost of a proposed bill before a public hearing can take place. Opponents argue this would further slow down the lawmaking process, which can already take years. It would also effectively give the mayor’s office a veto on proposed legislation, as they could theoretically delay the Fiscal Impact Statement indefinitely. Supporters are in favor of additional fiscal analysis before hearings on local laws.
Prop. 4 would require more notice before the city council votes on bills concerning public safety, allowing the public and the mayor’s office time to give input, hold hearings and potentially delay legislative action. Supporters say this measure will ensure public awareness and involvement in decisions that affect safety. Opponents contend that the proposition would grant the mayor’s office excessive power to influence legislation designed to hold the Police, Fire, and Correction Departments accountable.
Prop. 5 would require the city to expand its annual report taking stock of which city facilities need fixing, expansion or rebuilding to include detail on maintenance needs, and write an additional report taking that information into account every two years. Supporters argue this would advance transparency and improve the city’s flawed capital planning process. Opponents argue the measure is merely a distraction, accomplishing no material improvements and perpetuating existing problems in capital planning.
Prop. 6 would accomplish three things: codify the position of Chief Business Diversity Officer in the City Charter, change which offices have permission to issue film permits and combine two archive boards. Supporters say this measure would eliminate redundancy and improve efficiency by consolidating various government roles. Opponents argue the proposition does virtually nothing to change the lives of New Yorkers while giving the Mayor more power over the City Charter, which defines the powers of local government.
