(Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash)
Nov. 23, 2020 By Allie Griffin
Two state lawmakers are hosting a seminar to explain ranked choice voting next week as central Queens voters prepare to be the first in New York City to participate in the process.
Queens Assembly Members Nily Rozic and Daniel Rosenthal are presenting a virtual seminar on ranked choice voting on Dec. 3 — about a month ahead of the Special Election for the 24th City Council seat on Feb. 2, in which ranked choice voting will be in effect.
Under Ranked Choice Voting — which was approved by New Yorker City residents last year — voters have the option to rank up to five candidates in their order of preference. The Feb. 2 Special Election to replace former Councilman Rory Lancman will be the first city election with a ranked choice ballot.
The new system will apply to all city elections– from mayoral to council races.
Rozic and Rosenthal are partnering with Common Cause, a nonpartisan government watchdog group, for the seminar. Common Cause Director Susan Lerner will explain how ranked choice voting works and what to expect on the ballot.
The education is much needed to help Queens voters, Rozic said.
“New York is making strides in implementing voting reforms, but with that comes the need to educate and inform voters,” she said in a statement. “With the February special election around the corner, teaming up with Common Cause and Assemblyman Rosenthal will provide voters with the knowledge needed for a successful first run of ranked choice voting in NYC.”
The virtual seminar will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3. Those interested in attending can RSVP here or email RozicN@nyassembly.gov.
