Keep informed on issues that matter.
Here's an example of a bill that could unite Congress. It reduces unchecked presidential authority and strengthens Congressional authority. ![]()
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bit.ly/3CLXh4f
Lastly: Proposal Five. ![]()
As they say in The City, "fuggitaboudit"! It doesn't apply to us. The proposal increases the threshold for NYC Civil Court from $25,000 to $50,000. Whatever. ![]()
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The Senate and Assembly unanimously voted twice to place this proposal on the ballot. This proposal is as uncontroversial as we'll ever get.![]()
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Easy Yes, unless you're feeling contrary. But it's going to pass, regardless.
Proposal Four is simple: "No excuse absentee ballots". It makes permanent the executive order that eliminated requiring voters provide a reason to get an absentee ballot.![]()
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Most states don't require an excuse to request an absentee ballot (map). Many NY Republican legislators voted in favor of adding this proposal to the ballot so this is relatively popular and non-controversial. Yes on Four.
Ballot proposal Three basically legalizes same-day voter registration, the same as 20 other states have been doing for years. ![]()
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As an Election Inspector I recall turning away a voter who just moved here from Minnesota. He figured he could register and vote on Election Day. Um, not in NY! It felt like I was living in Appalachia. (That was ignorant because North Carolina allows same day registration.)![]()
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The problem with Three is wording. In order for NY to legalize same day registration, the Constitution has to be changed to eliminate the current requirement to register no less than ten days before an election. Here's the text: ![]()
"Section 5 of Article II of the New York Constitution now requires that a citizen be registered to vote at least ten days before an election. The proposed amendment would delete that requirement. If this amendment is adopted, the Legislature will be authorized to enact laws permitting a citizen to register to vote less than ten days before the election."![]()
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Most Republicans oppose same day registration, baselessly claiming the potential for voter fraud. In order to register, voters have to prove residency and citizenship, and all ballots would be provisional - requiring bipartisan Board of Election scrutiny. ![]()
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I'm voting Yes.
The second question on the back of this November's ballot involves an addition to NY's Bill of Rights. Yes, we have a state bill of rights (bit.ly/3Agg8TQ) that complements US Constitution. ![]()
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Here's the text of the amendment: "Each person shall have a right to clean air and water, and a healthful environment."![]()
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Several states, notably Pennsylvania and Montana, have had such rights for decades. Adding a right to clean air and water seems non-controversial, but some Republicans object because they fear frivolous litigation. ![]()
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That's why Dan Stec (R), our Senator, voted No on adding the ballot question. But his counterpart in the Assembly, Matt Simpson (R), voted Yes. ![]()
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I'm thinking if Sen. Stec voted No, that's reason enough for me to vote Yes. And if a neighboring state and a western red state can manage to have the same rights without being overrun by lawsuits then we should be ok, too.![]()
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bit.ly/3kekuWj
Vote YES for Clean Air and Water
www.ourairourwaterny.org
We are a growing coalition uniting to make sure every New Yorker can thrive in a healthy environment.
We've been focusing on the front of the ballot, the town elections. And for good reasons - some of them (Jay's!) are unusually competitive with excellent candidates. ![]()
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But did you know there are five questions on the back of the ballot? Spoiler - I'm voting Yes on all five. ![]()
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The first involves redistricting, which Wally has been mentioning for awhile. He probably understands all of it but the part I like involves the elimination of "prison gerrymandering". This is an odious, racist practice that unfairly benefits predominantly White upstate districts by counting predominantly Black inmates as residents of their cells instead of their (usually downstate) homes. ![]()
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Essex and Clinton Counties don't allow that for determining town representation in the county government. Some Republicans favor the practice (reason enough to oppose it!). Our previous Senator, Betty Little, actually sued to continue it (Little v. LATFOR...which she lost). ![]()
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A summary of this and the other ballot measures is here: bit.ly/3tIUXYi![]()
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I'll discuss the four others in future posts. There's a lot to know, but the first one is the most complex.
New York 2021 ballot measures - Ballotpedia
bit.ly
Ballotpedia: The Encyclopedia of American Politics
Get out and exercise your right to vote!![]()
General Election - November 2, 2021![]()
The Early Voting period for the November General Election will be October 23, 2021- October 31, 2021
Still evaluating this app, it rates the political leanings of companies and seems legit. ![]()
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We vote with our dollars, too.
Goods Unite Us - Open Politics
itunes.apple.com
Our August 9 meeting was at the country's oldest theme park - Santa's Workshop in Wilmington. We had a good turnout for Assembly Member Matt Simpson's visit, which ran 1.5 hours - as with most of our meetings, over time and we still had plenty to talk about. ![]()
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I didn't vote for him, and if Claudia Braymer runs again she'll get my vote again! But I'm impressed that Matt readily accepted our invitation to drive a long way to meet with us, especially given that he had to be in Albany the next morning. That meeting, btw, was to discuss how to release the bottled-up billions in federal aid intended to address evictions. Matt is on the right side of that issue - expedite help to the tenants and owners - even though our Congresswoman voted against the bill. ![]()
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Lynn summed up the meeting best: 'he gives us hope'. We could have easily focused on polarizing issues - reproductive rights, immigrant rights, restoring voting rights for felons, gun legislation, marijuana legalization, Gov. Cuomo's demise - and maybe we ought to, next time. ![]()
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He's not a Stefanik Republican by any means, he is pro-vaccination, pro-environment and readily acknowledged to the press that President Biden won on November 7. I like the fact that we gave him time and a forum to discuss a positive, inclusive philosophy. He has a good command of local issues, notably advocating and advancing local farm-to-market legislation. ![]()
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Should we be fraternizing with Republicans? In my opinion, yes. The sensible, decent ones, and I consider them to be the majority, aren't anti-science, neofascist, racist, and anti-democracy. Maybe I'm too optimistic but I think many Republicans would welcome the end of Trumpism. If we must have a two party system, I want the other party to get healthy because we rise and fall to the level of our opposition. I see it as our job to provide a safe space for the Republicans who aren't comfortable with their party's trajectory. I think that's what we did. ![]()
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Wally arranged the whole thing and Matt Stanley graciously offered up the terrific historic venue, with a panarama mountain view. Later I felt as if our little committee crossed over into a higher level of political relevance. My only regret is failing to invite my Republican counterpart, Pat Devlin, and maybe a few other JRC members to the meeting. As I said...next time!