Statement from NYC Council on General Election Results on Mayor Adams’ Misleading Ballot Proposals 2, 3, and 4

In response to election results for Ballot Proposals 2, 3, and 4 advanced by Mayor Adams' Charter Revision Commission, the New York City Council released the following statement from spokesperson Benjamin Fang-Estrada.

"New Yorkers desperately need more housing that is affordable to them, but the solution isn't to take away communities' power to secure more affordability and essential public goods from developers and the City. These misleading ballot proposals permanently change the City's constitution to weaken democracy, lasting beyond the next mayor when we inevitably have a mayor who is bad on housing, equity, and justice for communities. This will leave our city without the checks and balances of democracy to protect New Yorkers and ensure outcomes that prioritize them, not simply profits.

"Tonight's results are not surprising given the misleading language placed on the ballot to describe these proposals that intentionally sought to deceive voters by hiding what they do. The fact that there is no accountability or scrutiny for ballot language and abuses of mayoral charter revisions exposes a continued threat to our democracy that the State must address. Governor Hochul must sign into law A.3665A/S.590A, passed by both houses of the State Legislature to prevent mayors, like Eric Adams, from misusing the charter revision process to block ballot access and weaken democracy."

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