Charter Revision Commission Releases Preliminary Staff Report

Starting this week, public hearings are being held throughout the five boroughs to solicit feedback on the report’s recommendations. In April of 2018, the NYC Council created a Charter Revision Commission. The 15-member commission, which was granted a wide mandate to review the City Charter from top to bottom, is considering possible amendments to be placed on the November 5, 2019 ballot in New York City. The Commission’s focus has been on four areas … <Read More>


Charter Revision: More on Council Member Term Limits

Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Charter Revision Commission released its report on September 4, 2018 with three recommendations that will be on the ballot on November 6, 2018: downward adjustment of campaign contribution limits for City elected officials to reduce the influence of large contributors; a new commission to encourage greater civic engagement; and term limits and appointment procedures for community boards. All are worthy of concern, but none reach the level of major charter change.


New York’s Constitutional Convention Vote: Hit or Stand?

In 2017, along with voting for mayor, council members, and other elected officials, the voters of New York will be asked to answer “Yes “or “No” to this question:  “Shall there be a convention to revise the constitution and amend the same?” Every twenty years, the New York State constitution requires that the voters of the State be given the option to call a constitutional convention for revising and amending the New York State constitution … <Read More>


The Aftermath of Shelby County v. Holder: Will Voting Rights Be Diminished?

The United States Supreme Court’s June 25, 2013 decision, Shelby County v. Holder, struck down Section 4 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, eliminating a “preclearance” coverage formula that had subjected numerous jurisdictions with checkered voting rights histories to the U.S. Department of Justice’s oversight.  Although the decision allows Congress to create a new coverage formula, in today’s political climate that appears unlikely.   While the preclearance system was often associated with deep Southern states … <Read More>