“It is unfortunate that Mayor Adams’ commission advanced anti-democratic proposals and inaccurately worded questions onto the ballot to mislead New Yorkers. Tonight demonstrates the dire need for better safeguards to ensure city ballot proposals are accurately presented to voters. There is serious work needed to protect our local democracy from a mayor willing to disregard norms in the pursuit of power that removes checks and balances. The Council will continue to represent the communities and people across our city who elected us to make government more responsive to them, with a commitment to defending and strengthening representative democracy.”

###

On Background:

• Mayor Adams’ ballot proposals significantly underperformed city ballot proposals of the past 15 years.
  • Proposals 2-5 passed with the narrowest margins in at least 15 years. Proposals 6 was likely rejected by voters. Unofficial results show the count at roughly:
    • Proposal 2 – 62-38
    • Proposal 3 – 55-44
    • Proposal 3 – 56-44
    • Proposal 4 – 57-43
    • Proposal 5 – 58-42
    • Proposal 6 – 47-53
• By comparison, New York City ballot proposals over the past 15 years, until Tuesday, had been approved by receiving on average 75% of cast votes in favor and none with less than 66%
  • 2022 Ballot Proposals
    • Statement of Values to Guide Government – Yes: 1,090,018 (72%); No: 414,966 (28%)
    • Establish Racial Equity Office, Plan and Commission– Yes: 1,047,724 (70%); No: 450,319 (30%)
    • Measure True Cost of Living – Yes: 1,225,718 (81%); No: 284,806 (19%)
  • 2019 Ballot Proposals
    • Elections Proposal – Yes: 510,153 (74%); No: 182,900 (26%)
    • Civilian Complaint Review Board Proposal – Yes: 510,949 (75%); No: 173,368 (25%)
    • Ethics and Governance Proposal – Yes: 520,656 (77%); No: 151,271 (23%)
    • City Budget Proposal – Yes: 477,328 (71%); No: 193,200 (29%)
    • Land Use Proposal – Yes: 505,926 (76%); No: 155,658 (24%)
  • 2018 Ballot Proposals
    • Campaign Finance – Yes: 1,254,962 (80%); No: 306,198 (20%)
    • Civic Engagement Commission Proposal – Yes: 1,015,971 (66%); No: 525,343 (34%)
    • Community Boards–  Yes: 1,121,602 (73%); No: 423,544 (27%)
  • 2010 Ballot Proposals
    • Term Limits –  Yes: 733,858 (74%); No: 257,001 (26%)
    • Elections & Government Administration – Yes: 731,152 (84%); No: 144,364 (16%)