New York ballot news
From Ballotpedia
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| Propositions • | Recall | • Law |
Here you'll find a collection of ballot news stories from New York.
Maine ballot question indirectly affects New York
ALBANY, New York: With New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine losing re-election, proponents of gay marriage are feeling the heat of legalizing marriage equality since Governor-elect Chris Christie is a known opponent. With the passage of Maine’s Question 1 repealing a same-sex marriage law that legalizes it, New York proponents may now feel the effects of the dilemma. According to reports, there is “little evidence” that votes for gay marriage in the state legislature are present. With the Maine example being proof that the marriage question is “unpopular” with the “electorate”, proponents in New York are pushing more for legislation.
According to Governor David Paterson, marriage is “one of those rare types of legislation that you never know what people are going to do until it hits the floor.”[1]
Both statewide proposals pass in New York
Both proposed constitutional amendments on the November 3, 2009 New York ballot have been approved. Little opposition was shown during campaigning for both measures, and the results reflected that as both passed by a large margin.
| Ballot measure | Outcome | Yes % | No % | Precincts Reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposal 1 |  | 818,657 (66.9%) | 404,320 (33.1%) | 95% |
| Proposal 2 | | 818,250 (67.5%) | 394,836 (32.5%) | 95% |
Source: The New York Times as of 10:22am EST.
Two measures on today’s ballot for New Yorkers
New York: It’s election day, and New Yorkers have many things to decide upon. Among them are two statewide proposals that will impact the upstate area and inmates in state penitentiaries.
Proposal 1 will ask voters on whether or not to allow National Grid to use six acres along State Route 56 for already constructed power lines in St. Lawrence County. In return, National Grid will give 43 acres of the their land in the county. The land swap is being supported by environmentalists and other groups and is being met with little opposition.
Proposal 2 would allow the state legislature to pass bills that would pave the way for inmates in state prisons to work for nonprofit organizations. Among these non-profit groups include religious and other charitable organizations.[2]
Six states prepare to face off in November 3rd elections
Maine, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Washington: The clock is ticking - there are only 5 days left until election day. In this off-year election only six states will face off on November 3, 2009. There's a total of 26 propositions on the ballot this November.[3] Earlier this year, Californians voted on six statewide measures, bringing the total number of statewide ballot measures in 2009 to 32 - the lowest number of statewide ballot measures in 20 years.
Review upcoming ballot measures HERE!
Additionally on November 3rd, there will be hundreds of local ballot measures in at least 24 states.
New York City group one step closer to 9/11 investigation referendum
NEW YORK CITY, New York: On September 9, 2009, New York City lawyers conceded that the New York City Coalition for Accountability Now referendum effort did successfully submit over 30,000 signatures to the city clerk, thus eliminating a scheduled signature review by a city court appointed referee. According to group representative and 9/11 victim family member Manny Baldillo: “The City conceded we have 30,000 valid signatures. Big victory.”
Supporters of the referendum are hoping for a new 9/11 investigation that will be impartial and will include the efforts of the actual citizens of New York City.[4]
The next step for the group is to submit its memorandum of law because of the city’s motion for summary judgement, which is to see if the referendum meets New York City legality. A final decision on the issue must be made by September 7, 2009.[5]
New York Governor signs law that could prove costly for villages
ALBANY, New York: Governor David Paterson signed into effect a law on June 25, 2009 that would eliminate local governments through petitions and referenda. In addition, county legislatures and county-wide referenda could also be used to eliminate local governments, particularly villages.
Under the new law, which is called the New York Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act, if a village or town submit’s a petition containing ten percent or 5,000 signatures from registered voters, that government could face public vote on whether or not to dissolve it.
According to Paterson:“Our system of local government is outdated and overly complicated, and today we are making it easier to consolidate or dissolve local government entities. This legislation represents real reform, and will result in bottom-line savings for taxpayers.”[6]
New York residents understand ballot procedures amidst political landscape
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Three citywide offices, including the position of mayor and five borough presidencies are open to public vote in the next general election, and many unaware New York residents are beginning to pick up on the petition procedures for candidates on the ballot
What may complicate the process is the fact that New York State still requires candidates for elected positions to file petitions with voter signatures in order to be up for election on the ballot. In addition, the petitions must meet the standards of many other requirements so signatures may be deemed valid.
Candidates have until mid August to turn in the petitions in order to be eligible to be on the primary ballot.[7]
Election date for referendum yields confusion
ORCHARD PARK, New York: The town of Orchard Park will decide on September 23, 2009 whether or not to reduce the size of its Town Board from five to three. The decision has stirred up controversy within the town, since the election will not take place on the primary election date or the general election date.
Kevin P. Gaughan stated after the meeting that the decision was a way reduce voter turnout: “For a normal Orchard Park vote, whether it be Primary Day or Election Day, there are 10 polling places. They reduced it to one. What does that tell you? That happens in Iran. It shouldn’t happen in Orchard Park. That’s a clear effort to try to keep people away.”[8]
New York governor signs government consolidation bill
ALBANY, New York: On Friday Gov. David Paterson signed the state consolidation bill into law.[9] Also known as Assembly Bill 8501, the bill calls for eliminating local governments in an attempt to reduce property tax burden on state residents. According to the new law, 10 percent of registered voters or 5,000 registered voters of a town can submit a petition to dissolve the local government. A referendum would be held in which a simple majority in favor of petition would dissolve the government. The issue can also be raised at the county level.[10]
On Friday, the governor praised the bill and said,"This bill is a major step forward in our efforts to cut waste, lower the cost of doing business, and reduce our property taxes. Our system of local government is outdated and overly complicated, and today we are making it easier to consolidate or dissolve local government entities. This legislation represents real reform, and will result in bottom-line savings for taxpayers."[9]
Some village residents, however, criticized the bill and added that while others call village government outdated, "the village government is the most efficiently run government in the state," said Williston Park Village Mayor Ludwig Odiera. Village officials noted that they do not believe that the law will reduce the tax burden, in fact, they argue that the burden may remain the same. Mineola Mayor Martins said, "What you’re doing is creating larger governmental entities, which historically are less and less responsive. Unfortunately, it’s the shift toward the urbanization of suburbia."[9]
In early June 2009 the bill passed in both the state assembly and the senate.[11]
State Government urged to protect environment and create 100,000 jobs for New Yorkers
ALBANY,New York: A broad coalition called on the state OF New York to place a $5 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Bond Act on the November 3, 2009 ballot. New York State Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Robert Sweeney convened a hearing on May 27, 2009 to consider the merits of draft legislation that would place the measure on the ballot.
Members of the coalition and the public testified in support of the measure that will include invesments in long-term improvements to wastewater infrastructure, energy efficiency, transit, public health protection and economic development projects; it will also expand and create "green-collar" jobs and accelerate infrastructure projects to protect clean water and air.[12]
New York county legislators approve government downsizing proposal
ERIE COUNTY, New York: Last week, Erie County legislators voted in favor of eliminating two seats from the 15-member county legislature. The vote was unanimous, a 14-0 vote. The vote comes only a month after West Seneca and Evans also voted in favor of reducing their town boards by two seats. However, not everybody is content with the decision. County Executive Chris Collins has called the proposed amendment “sneaky” because included in the proposal is a provision that would double the length of legislators’ terms to four years. The July vote moves the proposal to the November ballot for residents to vote on the issue. “Fifteen is a good number,” said Buffalo Democrat Betty Jean Grant, who said that she is content with the current size of the legislature. “We’ve downsized twice in the past 24 years.” Originally the board consisted of 20 members until it was downsized to it's current 15 member size. The proposed cut would reduce the number of seats to 11.[13] But, some proposal supporters argue that eliminating 2 seats is "nibbling at the edges" and a bigger cut should be made.[14]
New York towns voted to downsize government
New York: Both West Seneca and Evans town voters voted on June 3, 2009 in favor of reducing the size of the town's government starting in 2010. In both towns two positions will be eliminated from the elected town boards.[15] Regardless of the outcome, Wednesday vote marks the first time that Erie County residents have voted on that issue. Referendum supporters argue that reducing the 5-person board in West Seneca and the 4-person board in Evans would save the town money and "bring government back to the people." Opponents argued that the savings of reducing the board's size is minimal and the cut will only reduce residents’ representation in local government. According to Kevin Gaughan, the local resident who organized the referendum, every town and village board in Erie County dropped two members, taxpayers would save a total of $10.2 million. West Seneca Supervisor Wallace C. Piotrowski said, "The residents are screaming to save money, and this is one way to save money." However, some residents said that they are mostly concerned about the shift in political power that downsizing could cause. “If you have one person on vacation and one out sick, your government will be absolutely at a standstill. It would be a nightmare,” said a town resident against the referendum.[16]
The Wednesday vote, however, won't be the last that the state of New York will see of the downsizing issue, according to supporters. Gaughen said that later this year other towns (Orchard Park, Hamburg and Alden) will also vote on the issue.[16]
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