Counting and Certifying the Vote: What Happens in New York State After the Polls Close

By Jennifer Hutz

Especially since the 2020 elections, national attention has focused on what happens after the polls close on Election Day. The mundane and straightforward task of counting ballots has become a hot button issue as an increased number of public officials have attempted to delay or deny certification of the ballot count. Although media attention has heightened following efforts to challenge the 2020 results, attempts to delay certification have been happening since the … <Read More>

City Launches Trade-In Program for E-Bikes and Batteries

On October 23, 2024, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the final rules regulating the City’s $2 million trade-in program for electric-powered mobility devices, such as electric bikes, and their batteries. This program is part of the City’s “Charge Safe, Ride Safe: New York City’s Electric Micromobility Action Plan” which aims to mitigate the risk of deadly e-bike fires, caused by uncertified lithium-ion batteries by promoting public safety and reducing the illegal … <Read More>

Parks Dept. Celebrates Reopening of Kelly Park Playground in Brooklyn

On October 22, 2024, New York City Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue, New York State Senator Simcha Felder, and members of the community celebrated the unveiling of the newly reconstructed Kelly Park Playground. Kelly Park Playground, located at Ave. S, Moore Pl. between East 16th Street and East 17th Street in Brooklyn, is named after Brooklynite William E. Kelly. Born. Kelly, born in Brooklyn in 1872, served as county postmaster and Clerk of Kings County before … <Read More>

A Closer Look: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Loses Presidential Election Ballot Challenge in New York

 

By Hussein Ahmed

In August, an Albany state supreme court judge ordered that Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.  be removed from the state’s ballot as a presidential candidate. The court ruled that Kennedy’s nominating petition included the “wrong address” for his “residence” under New York law. Earlier in the year, Kennedy’s supporters circulated petitions to place his name on the presidential ballot in New York. Kennedy subsequently dropped out of the national race for president … <Read More>

NY Elections, Census and Redistricting Update 10/28/24

 

 

by Jeff Wice & Alexis Marking

N.Y. VOTING RIGHTS ACT LITIGATION

Erie County: Young v. Town of Cheektowaga

In March, one-time Town Board candidate Kenneth Young filed a lawsuit against the Town of Cheektowaga, alleging racially polarized voting and violations of the New York Voting Rights Act (NYVRA) in the Cheektowaga Town Board elections. Young claims that minority voters cannot elect candidates of their choice under the town’s current at-large voting method and … <Read More>

Council Introduces Bill to Install E-Bike Battery Stations

On Thursday, October 10, 2024, Council Members Sandy Nurse of Brooklyn and Carlina Rivera of Manhattan, introduced Bill No. 1084, highlighting the growing use of e-bikes and the subsequent need for e-bike infrastructure throughout New York City. Bill No. 1084 would require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to install at least thirty-five electric bicycle (“e-bike”) battery stations each year for the next five years in commercial areas throughout the city. The bill defines an e-bike … <Read More>