NYC General Election 2017: Here’s How 3 Neighbors Voted In Park Slope
PARK SLOPE – It’s Election Day 2017! Today, New Yorkers get to vote for Mayor, Pubic Advocate, Comptroller, Borough President, and City Council representatives.
Three ballot proposals—including the contentious Constitutional Convention—are up for decision as well. Check out this quick explainer via WNYC if you’re not up to speed on these issues.
There were short lines and a steady flow of voters at the PS 133 polling site in Park Slope this morning. BKLYNER spoke with three voters after they cast their ballots to find out how they voted and why.
Evan Hughes was in a rush, but was nice enough to stop and quickly say that voted for Bill de Blasio because “he’s the only choice I agree with. He’s the best choice we have.”
As for the other candidates, he “voted for the usual people,” adding that he likes Brad Lander, the District 39 City Council Member who represents Park Slope and whose re-election bid was unchallenged.
On the back of the ballot, Hughes voted “no” on the Constitutional Convention, explaining “I think the climate is too conservative right now to reconsider it.”
Whether he feels his vote makes a difference, he replied, “I have no idea. I assume so,” and quickly added, “I voted because I can. We’re in a place where we can vote and we’re lucky to have it. I always vote.”
“It’s frustrating, with less than 50-percent turn out at elections…” Hughes said of those unsure whether to make the trip to the polls today. He says anyone who chooses not to vote should “reserve your complaints,” and adds, “You’re lucky to have a choice.”
Another Park Slope voter, Kate E., also voted for Bill de Blasio. “I think he’s doing a good job. I think his politics and initiatives are almost completely in line with what I want to see,” she said.
“I was sort of disappointed with his recent statement about congestion pricing. I think he should reconsider that,” she added regarding issues she’d like to see de Blasio address next term if he is reelected.
She also expressed her support for Brad Lander saying, “He’s like my ideal of a local politician doing good work.”
Like Hughes, Kate also voted “no” on the Constitutional Convention proposal, explaining, “I think it’s not what we need right now. There’s too much risk involved in who will be the delegates for the constitutional convention. All the districts have been gerrymandered to favor republicans in a way that I don’t think is going to be fair for picking delegates. I just worry that the risks outweigh the benefits.”
Though a small one, Kate believes her vote makes a difference, and insists fellow New Yorkers get to their polling sites. “It’s really easy to do,” she says. “It makes you feel good and it’s our responsibility as citizens.”
Bill de Blasio proved to be the favored candidate on his home turf, with Phyllis Ayres also giving him her vote. “I like him. I like the way he thinks. I like what his plan is for New York,” she said.
“We all want more affordable housing,” Ayres said but also noted, “He could use a little work when it comes to taking care of the homeless.”
Ayres did not turn over her ballot to vote on the three proposals. “I forgot!” she lamented. “I was really on the fence,” she said about the Constitutional Convention proposal, “simply because I’m not sure how much power that would give the legislature. I was really ambivalent about. I just wasn’t sure.”
When asked what she’d say to those who are on the fence about going to the polls today, she sternly said, “I’m a firm believer in voting. If you don’t vote, don’t complain. It really matters.”