NYC Ballot Proposals

New York City has six ballot measures this year. 

One is a state measure required by the state constitution that protects wilderness land. Other than Curtis Sliwa ("no" on all), there doesn't seem to be much opposition to it. Some private land is being swapped for wilderness land.

One local measure creates a centralized digital City Map maintained by the Department of City Planning. Again, there doesn't appear to be much opposition to this measure. Sliwa, notwithstanding. 

The most controversial ones, which the City Council hates, involve streamlining the process for affordable housing. Mamdani needs the support of the City Council and other groups who are not fans. 

So, he is taking a while to decide. I realize it is probably a political move as much as or more than him truly being unsure. Still, helps me be wary. 

Affordable housing advocates, from what I can tell, generally support the measures. The League of Women Voters is agnostic about one of the three measures. It is a battle of the City Council (popular control) and concerns of NIMBY-ism. 

I generally favor legislative decision-making over direct democracy. There are times when direct democracy is a valid counterbalance to legislative difficulties. I am guardedly supportive of them. 

Abortion rights in red states come to mind. OTOH, some issues are complicated policy matters that should be left to legislators, who know about such things, and can negotiate the various policy issues.

The final measure involves ending local elections in off-years. A "yes" vote is not final since the state legislature has to be involved. This makes the measure somewhat lower in temperature. 

OTOH, this "no" argument is fairly convincing. 

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There is a 10-day period of early voting, so the time to vote is rapidly approaching. And, the vote-by-mail ballots (I know someone who has one) have already been sent out. Still, I have a bit of time to decide.