Election Results: Charter Revisions and Future Impacts
Election Day is behind us, and the results are in. Here’s what you need to know about what passed on the New York ballot, what didn’t, and how it could impact our city.
Election Highlights:
Vice President Kamala Harris fell short nationally but won New York by just under 12 points, the narrowest Democratic margin in the state since 1988.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was reelected with her lowest margin of victory to date.
Democrats flipped at least three U.S. House seats in New York, reclaiming ground after prior Republican gains.
Democrats will maintain control in Albany, but have lost the state Senate supermajority.
Proposition 1 Approved: A majority of New York voters approved Proposition 1, which codifies the protections of Roe v. Wade in the State Constitution and expands the groups covered by the Equal Protection Clause to include “ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sex — including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, reproductive health care, and autonomy.”
Other Ballot Measures: New Yorkers voted on the Adams administration’s plans for revising the City Charter. Four of the five City Charter revisions passed.
What Passed: Voters approved measures to enhance the Department of Sanitation’s authority to clean public spaces, mandate clearer fiscal transparency for city legislation, require more public input on public safety laws, and improve capital planning for public infrastructure.
What Didn’t: One measure that would establish a position promoting minority- and women-owned businesses, change the film-permitting process, and merge the city archives.
Reflecting on these results, it’s important to consider the impact of state and federal policies on our city. Governor Hochul plans to resume congestion pricing before President-Elect Trump takes office and has said she will work with the incoming administration to secure federal funding for the MTA, the Second Avenue subway, Penn Station, the CHIPS and Science Act, and other infrastructure projects.
Meanwhile, Trump’s policies could bring changes to transit, education, immigration, public safety, and more. For additional insights, we recommend these initial reactions from Gothamist and The New York Times.
We’ll keep you updated as our city navigates these developments and share resources to keep you engaged and empowered.
Next November, there will be even more on the ballot in our city. Voters should be prepared to weigh in on our next mayor, comptroller, and public advocate — as well as City Council members, borough presidents, district attorneys, and more.
