June 23, 2021 By Ryan Songalia Sandra Ung has a significant lead in her quest to win the 20th Council District seat — following the first round of ranked-choice voting. Ung, a lawyer who has worked in the office of Congresswoman Grace Meng, generated 24.28 percent of first-choice votes, or 2,004 votes, in Tuesday’s Democratic… Read more »
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Selvena Brooks-Powers and James Gennaro–Who Both Recently Won Special Elections–Secure Victories Tuesday
June 23, 2021 By Allie Griffin Two Queens council members — who recently won special elections to represent their respective districts until the end of the year — have secured their seats for a full term. Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers and James Gennaro are expected to serve on the City Council for a full term… Read more »
Donovan Richards and Elizabeth Crowley Battle It out in Race to Be Borough President
June 22, 2021 By Ryan Songalia and Christian Murray Donovan Richards and Elizabeth Crowley are in a tight race to determine who will win the Democratic primary for Queens Borough President. Richards, the incumbent, generated 64,814 of first-choice votes, or 40.53 percent of the vote, ahead of Elizabeth Crowley who brought in 62,738 votes, or… Read more »
Lynn Schulman and Aleda Gagarin in Tight Race for Forest Hills Seat
June 23, 2021 By Allie Griffin Lynn Schulman and Aleda Gagarin are in a tight race for the Council District 29 seat, early election results show. Schulman and Gagarin are leading the seven other candidates in the race to represent Rego Park, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens and Richmond Hill, but the race is too close… Read more »
Shekar Krishnan Likely to Win Primary for Jackson Heights/Elmhurst Council Seat
June 22, 2021 By Ryan Songalia and Christian Murray Shekar Krishnan took a big step toward securing the Jackson Heights/Elmhurst city council seat, taking the most first choice votes in Tuesday’s Democratic primary. The civil rights lawyer generated 30.8 percent of first place ballot votes in the race to replace term-limited council member Daniel Dromm… Read more »
Candidates Who Win City Council Seats Will Serve Two-Year Terms–Not Four
June 22, 2021 By Allie Griffin Candidates on the ballot for City Council seats are competing for a two-year term—not the four-year term members normally serve. Council members elected this year will complete a two-year term for the first time in two decades due to a provision in the city charter related to the census…. Read more »
Queens Criminal Court Dismisses Thousands of Marijuana Cases at DA Katz’ Request
June 22, 2021 By Christina Santucci A Queens Criminal Court judge granted District Attorney Melinda Katz’s request to dismiss thousands of cases for people who had been charged with low-level marijuana offenses—during a virtual proceeding Tuesday morning. Katz had sought to have the 3,255 unresolved misdemeanor cases be dismissed – after New York state legalized… Read more »
Check out the Expected Timeline for Election Results
June 22, 2021 By Christina Santucci Voters can expect to find out some initial vote tallies from today’s Primary Election following the close of the polls – but election officials estimate that the final results will not be certified until mid July. The Board of Elections (BOE) plans to release preliminary, unofficial results of in-person… Read more »
State Legislature Passes ‘SLEEP Act’ to Curb Souped-Up Vehicles
June 22, 2021 By Ryan Songalia State lawmakers have taken a big step to rid the streets of souped-up vehicles that have been keeping residents awake at night. A bill, called the Stop Loud and Excessive Exhaust Pollution (SLEEP) Act, passed both the Assembly and senate on June 10 and awaits the signature of the… Read more »
Federal Government Delays Decision on LaGuardia AirTrain Over Community Concerns
June 21, 2021 By Allie Griffin Federal officials have postponed making their final decision on the $2 billion LaGuardia AirTrain project after community groups and legislators expressed concerns over its environmental review. Early construction of the AirTrain — a proposed 1.5 mile rail line linking LaGuardia Airport to the 7 train and Long Island Rail… Read more »