Last Year’s Election Information

Please see the 2025 Board of Elections Official Results: https://enr.boenyc.gov/

In 2025, you saw five key positions and citywide & statewide ballot proposals on the NYC 2025 General Election Ballot. These positions were mayor, public advocate, city comptroller, city council members and borough presidents. Judicial positions also appeared on some ballots. Read below to learn more about each of these positions and proposals.

Mayor of New York City

  • The Mayor of New York City is the head of the City’s executive branch.  The mayor’s office administers all city services, including, police and fire protection, building safety, health and children’s services and public education, among other services. In addition, the New York City Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) oversees the City's budget, including revenues and expenditures as approved by the City Council. The mayor also has the power to appoint numerous officials, including deputy mayors and the commissioners who head city agencies and departments.

Public Advocate:

  • The Public Advocate is a non-voting member of the New York City Council with the right to introduce and co-sponsor legislation. The Public Advocate also performs oversight of city agencies, investigates citizens' complaints about city services and makes proposals to address perceived shortcomings or problems in the delivery of those services. Lastly, the public advocate is the first person in line to succeed the mayor in the event of a vacancy or incapacity of the mayor.

Comptroller:

  • The City Comptroller is the chief financial officer and chief auditor of New York City agencies. This office reviews the performance and spending in City agencies. The comptroller also reviews and makes recommendations regarding proposed contracts, issues reports on the city and state economy, handles the settlement of litigation claims against the City, issues municipal bonds to fund projects, manages the City’s pension funds, and manages the municipality debt.

City Council Members:

  • New York City Council members make up the City's legislative body, similar to Congress, which is separate from the mayor’s administration. City Council members introduce and vote on legislation, that when signed by the mayor, establish laws, policy, practices and protections for residents, visitors and businesses. The City Council negotiates the City's budget with the mayor and approves the spending plan.  Members of the City Council assist constituents in their districts with community needs and service problems. In addition, council members through committees monitor city agencies to ensure they are effectively serving New Yorkers. The Council has the power to review land use and make decisions about the growth and development of the City.

Borough President:

  • Borough Presidents are the chief executives of each of the five New York City boroughs. Borough Presidents advise the mayor, advocate for borough needs during the annual budget process, review and comment on land-use projects, and appoint volunteer community board members, who provide advice on issues that affect their neighborhoods, including zoning and local projects, and help resolve community service issues. Overall, they are advocates for their borough to the mayor, city council, New York State government, mayoral agencies, public corporations, and private businesses.

 

Citywide Ballot Proposals

The 2025 New York City Charter Revision Commission was convened in December 2024 with the goal of revising the New York City Charter, which outlines the structure, powers and functions of the City’s branches of government.  The Commission was assigned with the responsibility of identifying ways to improve New York City’s government. The Commission hosted several meetings across the City engaging with New York City residents, experts, advocates and more. The final report of the Commission includes five ballot proposals for voters to consider and either approve or reject these changes to the charter. If a majority of voters (more than 50%) vote yes on a proposal, that proposal will be inserted into the City Charter. If a majority of voters vote no on a proposal, it will not be adopted and added to the charter. Read below to learn more about each ballot proposal.

 

Proposal 1: Fast Track Affordable Housing to Build More Affordable Housing Across the City 

  • “Fast track publicly financed affordable housing. Fast track applications delivering affordable housing in the community districts that produce the least affordable housing, significantly reducing review time. Maintain Community Board review.” (NYC Charter Revision Commission)
    • This proposal allows the City Planning Commission to approve or reject new housing which could speed up the development of affordable housing. Though, some argue this proposal expands mayoral power and limits the voice of New York City residents by eliminating the City Council in the process.

Proposal 2: Simplify Review of Modest Housing and Infrastructure Projects 

  • “Simplify review of modest amounts of additional housing and minor infrastructure projects, significantly reducing review time. Maintain Community Board review, with final decision by the City Planning Commission.” (NYC Charter Revision Commission)
    • An example of a modest increase in density would be expanding residential capacity by 30% in high-density neighborhoods.

Proposal 3: Establish an Affordable Housing Appeals Board with Council, Borough, and Citywide Representation 

  • “Establish an Affordable Housing Appeals Board with the Council Speaker, local Borough President, and Mayor to review Council actions that reject or change applications creating affordable housing.” (NYC Charter Revision Commission)
    • Currently, the City Council and Mayor are responsible for approving affordable housing projects in the City, so this proposal reduces the number of people needed to approve an affordable housing project. 

Proposal 4:  Create a Digital City Map to Modernize City Operations 

  • “Consolidate borough map office and address assignment functions, and create one digital City Map at the Department of City Planning. Today, the City Map consists of paper maps across five offices.” (NYC Charter Revision Commission)
    • This proposal would replace the five separate maps and address assignment systems managed by each Borough President’s office with a single unified map covering all five boroughs. 

Proposal 5:  Move Local Elections to Presidential Election Years to Increase Voter Participation 

  • “Move the City’s primary and general election dates so that City elections are held in the same year as federal presidential elections, when permitted by state law.” (NYC Charter Revision Commission)
    • Currently, NYC local elections are scheduled for 2025, while the last presidential election took place in 2024. This proposal would align NYC local elections with presidential elections, so both would occur in the same year, such as 2028 or 2032. Though, some argue by holding local elections in the same year as Presidential elections, it would lead to local races being ignored and overshadowed.

For additional information about the NYC Ballot Proposals visit: https://www.nyc.gov/assets/charter/downloads/pdf/2025/Appendix-A-Proposed-Questions.pdfpdf; https://www.nyc.gov/site/charter/news/2025-new-york-city-charter-revision-commission-releases-interim-report.page 

To Read the New York City Charter Revision Commission’s Final Report please visit this link: https://www.nyc.gov/assets/charter/downloads/pdf/2025/7-21-2025-charter-revision-commission-adopted-final-report-digital.pdfpdf 

 

Statewide Ballot Proposal 

All ballots in the November general election whether in New York City or upstate, will feature one statewide proposal.  This proposal was approved by the State Senate and Assembly to allow for this proposed amendment to the New York State Constitution to be submitted for consideration by voters.

 

Proposal 1: Amendment to Allow Olympic Sports Complex in Essex County on State Forest Preserve Land

  • “The proposal amends the State Constitution. It permits new Nordic ski and biathlon trails in the forest preserve. Development there requires Constitutional permission. That is because the facility is in the Adirondack forest preserve. It is part of an Olympic Sports Complex in North Elba…The project touches up to 323 acres. The facility covers 1,039 acres. This use is offset. 2,500 new acres are added to the forest preserve. The New York Legislature must approve the offset. If not, the project will not happen.” (New York State Board of Elections)
    • A yes vote would allow new ski trails and related facilities to be built in the Adirondack preserve, and a no vote would block the facilities from being built. 

For additional information about the Statewide Ballot Proposal please visit this link: https://elections.ny.gov/2025-statewide-ballot-proposal