Voting Archive

Voting Machine -- The Four Finalists  (January, 2007)  A look at the four voting machines that are in the running to replace the lever machine with which New Yorkers have been voting since 1962.

The Sheriff of State Street  (November, 2006)  

2006 Election Results  (November, 2006)  

Guide For The Last Minute Voter, 2006 General Election  (November, 2006)  

The Attorney General  (October, 2006)  In a campaign marked by personal attacks, Andrew Cuomo and Jeanine Pirro are aggressively seeking a job once held by Aaron Burr, Martin Van Buren and Eliot Spitzer. But what actually does the state’s top lawyer do?

Independent Voters  (September, 2006)  There are more independent voters in New York City than there are registered members of the Republican, Conservative, Working Families and Independence parties combined. Yet, efforts to involve unaffiliated voters in the political process are happening…elsewhere.

State Races And Incumbency – How New York Is Not Connecticut  (August, 2006)  While they have not gotten the attention of the Democratic primary for Senator in Connecticut, there are a few competitive races for the state legislature. A look at the primary election action.

Enabling Voters With Disabilities?  (June, 2006)  Unable to comply fully with the federal requirements, New York’s board of elections has agreed to improve the ability of the disabled to cast an independent and private vote on Election Day. But will “Plan B” be effective?

Voting Rights Revisited  (April, 2006)  The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is as relevant in New York City as in Alabama or Mississippi -- and provisions of it expiring next year are about to be hotly debated.

Instant Incumbents  (March, 2006)  What’s most alarming about the recent “Special Election” to fill vacancies in the New York State Legislature, argues Amy Ngai of Citizens Union Foundation, is not the dismal turnout or the undemocratic nominating process, but that the new legislators, though elected for only about six months, have become instant incumbents. And being an incumbent in the New York legislature means never having to say goodbye.

Five First Steps At The City Council  (February, 2006)  Will the City Council under Christine Quinn convert the skeptics? Doug Israel looks at the passage of "five small but signficant reforms meant to make the legislative body more democratic."

What Now, Mayor Bloomberg?  (November, 2005)  Mayor Bloomberg will have to do more in Albany and Washington if he wants to fulfill his second term promises.

After Clarence Norman: Is Reform Possible?  (October, 2005)  Continuing shenanigans in Brooklyn indicate how difficult it will be to reform politics – despite the transformation of Clarence Norman from borough Democratic boss to convicted felon.

Another Weird Election  (September, 2005)  This year’s Democratic primary ended with recounts and a runoff nobody wants – in other words, its share of weirdness. Is there a better way to do things? Are some things best the way they are?

Campaign 2005: Elections Themselves Are Issues  (August, 2005)  The one issue that candidates for public office consider more important than any other is the one they are least eager to talk about – the process of getting elected to office. It is an issue that will last far beyond the current campaign.

Ballot-Bumping, NYC's Bloodsport  (July, 2005)  It is easy to express outrage against the system of signature-gathering and signature-challenging in New York, in which candidates knock each other off the ballot on legal technicalities. But there is a reason why ballot bumping persists as the city’s bloodsport – witness the latest action by Michael Bloomberg.

Poll Workers And Better Elections  (June, 2005)  Replacing the old voting machines will solve only part of the Election Day problems, according to Doug Israel, who co-authored one of two new reports pointing to another challenge – the inadequate number, and poor performance, of poll workers.

New Voting Machines  (May, 2005)  Thanks to the state legislature's decision not to decide, city election officials will now have to pick new voting machines -- and quickly. Doug Israel explains.

Non-Citizen Voting  (April, 2005)  Doug Israel looks at the latest voting rights movement -- the right of non-citizens to vote.

Another Charter Revision Commission, And Three New Ballot Proposals  (March, 2005)  There is yet another charter revision commission, with three new ballot proposals being considered for the fall.

The First Campaign Finance Reports; Also, Preview Of 2006  (January, 2005)  The candidates for city office have released their first campaign finance reports, a traditional method of sorting out who is really in a race -- and who is in denial.

New York City Election 2004  (November, 2004)  

Barriers To Voter Registration  (October, 2004)  The last day to register to vote is October 8th. But why? The premature deadline, Doug Israel writes, is just one of four concrete barriers to registering that shouldn

Identification at the Polls  (September, 2004)  New Yorkers will now be required to present some form of identification when they go to vote for the first time, starting with the primary. This is the biggest change that New York has made so far of all those required by a federal law passed after the embarrassing breakdown of Election Day 2000 in Florida. But, as Jillian Matundan points out, this change is not necessarily an improvement.

A Broken System Stays Broken  (August, 2004)  "The only thing more dysfunctional than New York¹s voting system is the State Legislature in Albany," writes Jillian Matundan, which is why New York is losing out on millions of federal dollars to fix what's broken.

Using Republican As An Epithet  (July, 2004)  Susan Reefer argues that Republican seems to have become a dirty word in New York this summer. And, in the debut of a convention weblog, Carmen Cusido, who describes herself as "an unusual Republican - I am a Latina college student from a working class neighborhood," explains why she hopes to be accepted as one of the 8,000 volunteers at the Republican National Convention.

Non-Citizen Voting  (April, 2004)  Susan Reefer looks at the proposed legislation to allow non-citizen New Yorkers to vote in local elections -- which could add a million voters to the rolls.

Voting Technology  (March, 2004)  Despite all the promises, New York City has the same old broken down voting machines. But that, as it turns out, might be a good thing. Susan Reefer explains.

Super Tuesday  (February, 2004)  Susan Reefer looks at Super Tuesday, which allows New York, in effect, to have the last word.

Help America Vote Act  (January, 2004)  Though the Help America Vote Act does represent the biggest single set of voting reforms seen since the Voting Rights Act, Susan Reefer says, it may not address the most serious cases of voter disenfranchisement.

New Campaign Financing Proposals - And Who They Benefit  (December, 2003)  New proposals, if passed into law, "will help to define New York City as having some of the most far-reaching campaign financing in the country," writes Susan Reefer, who explores what money can and cannot do for a campaign.

Clarence Norman And Non-Partisan Elections  (October, 2003)  Susan Reefer looks at the charges against Brooklyn Democratic Party leader Clarence Norman, and analyzes what could, what should, and what will not change if supporters of non-partisan elections use the example of Norman to help win in November.

Low Voter Turnout  (September, 2003)  Susan Reefer reflects on low voter turnout, and how the proposed new system of non-partisan elections might make it even lower.

Primary Elections, And The Ballot Proposals For November  (August, 2003)  Susan Reefer previews the September 9th primary election, and the recently-approved proposals for the November ballot.

Bloomberg’s Plunge In The Polls; Also: Committee On Vacancies  (July, 2003)  Susan Reefer looks at the polls that record Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s plunging popularity. Also: how James Davis’s substitute was selected

Voting Rights Act  (June, 2003)  Doug Muzzio dissects the 1965 Voting Rights Act, created “as a culmination of the black civil rights movement,” and how and why it continues to apply not just to the Deep South but to three boroughs of New York City.

The Latest On Term Limits  (April, 2003)  Susan Reefer looks at the possible effects of the latest twist in the term limits law.

The Hispanic Vote; Also, New Charter Commission For Non-Partisan Elections  (March, 2003)  Doug Muzzio gives an overview of Hispanic voting in New York. Also: The mayor has created yet another charter revision commission to recommend non-partisan election in a way that makes him the "Four Billion Dollar Gorilla." Muzzio explains.

Special Elections  (February, 2003)  Susan Reefer looks at the nature of special elections, four of which are being held in the city Tuesday, February 25, for two city council seats and two state assembly seats in the Bronx and Brooklyn.

Nonpartisan Elections And Charter Revision  (January, 2003)  The mayor is reportedly thinking of appointing yet another charter revision commission to study non-partisan elections once again. This would be the fifth in five years. Doug Muzzio looks at the recent history of charter review commissions and of the issue of non-partisan elections.

0  (November, 2002)  

The Help America Vote Act -- The Good News and Bad News For NYC  (October, 2002)  

9/11/01-02: Altering The Political Landscape  (September, 2002)  

Cuomo Walks  (September, 2002)  

How You Can Tell How They're Doing  (August, 2002)  

State Campaign Finance Reports  (July, 2002)  

No To Nonpartisan Elections  (June, 2002)  

Scandals And Voters  (May, 2002)  

The New Voter Identification Requirement  (April, 2002)  

Changes Ahead?  (January, 2002)  

The Remarkable Victory  (December, 2001)  

Will Something Be Done About the Board of Elections?  (November, 2001)  

Mayoral Election  (October, 2001)  

A Plea For Same-Day Voter Registration  (September, 2001)  

What Is Wrong With The Board Of Elections?  (August, 2001)  

What Is Wrong With The Board Of Elections?  (July, 2001)  

Sharpton's Endorsement  (June, 2001)  

Michael Bloomberg and the Legacy of Self-Financed Candidates  (April, 2001)  

Right for All the Wrong Reasons  (March, 2001)  

It's Still Broken  (February, 2001)  

Our One-Party Town  (January, 2001)  

What Can We Do To Fix This -- and Should We?  (December, 2000)  

Election Special--Campaign Finance: In Need of Reforms?  (October, 2000)  

In the News: The Primaries  (September, 2000)  

In The News: The Republican National Convention  (August, 2000)  

Advice for Taming the Dog Days of Summer  (July, 2000)  

In The News: Money Matters  (July, 2000)  

In The News: The Lazio Effect  (June, 2000)  

In The News: Roundup  (May, 2000)  

In The News:  (March, 2000)  

News Round-Up  (December, 1999)  

Waiting for a sign  (November, 1999)