May 26, 2012 · www.gothamgazette.com

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Demographics
Internet resources for what you need to know on NYC Elections and Voting
Five Favorite Sites For Beginners

The Topic
"Elections" refers to the processes through which candidates appeal to the citizenry, and the citizenry chooses who among those candidates will represent them. Also known as: the basis of democracy; a passˇ phenomenon. Near synonyms: voting, campaigns.
The Context
By and large, New Yorkers don't vote. Though the number of registered voters who turn out on election day has fluctuated, the overall trend has been downward. Fewer people voted in 1997 than in 1953, though the number of registered voters rose by more than a million (never mind how many more were eligible). In the last School Board election, a mere 3.3% of those eligible actually voted. This declining turnout has been a gradual process that has become a reality of NYC politics.
The Reporter
Jonathan Trichter is a Democratic pollster, writer, and commentator. Susan Reefer is a Republican pollster and media strategist. Both are based in New York.
The Archives
See past monthly updates for Voting.

by Jonathan Trichter and Susan Reefer

In The News: The Democratic National Convention

(aug-sep '00)

by Jonathan Trichter

If the country winds up accepting a ticket that includes a Jewish American, it would teach New York a lesson: we are not alone in our political tolerance. Before that, though, New York should teach the country a lesson: there was a time when we were.

People have been comparing Senator Lieberman with Senator Kennedy lately, and calling JFK the first Catholic presidential nominee of a major party. But the truth is , he was not. The real first Catholic nominee was Al Smith, Governor of New York, whom Franklin Delano Roosevelt introduced as "The Happy Warrior." at the 1928 Democratic convention.

Enlightenment was a regional virtue that year, though, as Smith's campaign constantly collided with burning crosses, compliments of the anti-Catholic KKK. Losing 40 states to Herbert Hoover taught New York about the rest of America, about what Smith biographer Oscar Handlin called its "dark secret prejudice."

This year, the prospect of a Jewish vice president filled electronic bulletin boards with colorful theories about a Zionist conspiracy. Yet most indications are that hateful reactions are not reflective of the republic at large. For one thing, the Internet is a notorious canvass for right wing rant. (Extremists were using the World Wide Web when the Information Superhighway was just an idea inside Al Gore's head.) For another, Jews have risen to the upper ranks of elected office in Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan. (None of these places could be mistaken for "Little Israel.") Finally, survey research shows that for the vast majority of Americans, it makes no difference if a candidate is Jewish. (As late as the 1950's, a majority said that it would.)

While we have come a long way since 1928, New Yorkers are typically unimpressed; we are more likely to believe that Lieberman's religion will make a difference to our out-of-state neighbors. Evidently, Al Gore has more faith in the American people than we do. The most recent Gallup poll shows that his faith could pay political dividends, as news of Lieberman's selection smoothed out the GOP's 17-point convention bump, flattening it to a competitive two-point Bush lead.

New York should be proud to teach the country a lesson in how far ahead we were in our political tolerance. But after Karena Gore introduces Joe Lieberman at the 2000 Democratic convention, the country should teach New York about how far they have come.

The Republican View

by Susan Reefer

It's true, New Yorkers can be proud of the tradition of tolerance and diversity that has been demonstrated among the ranks of our elected officials.

New Yorkers may believe themselves to be more tolerant than their neighbors in the South or the Midwest, but the sign of true tolerance is neither accepting nor rejecting a candidate based on race or religion, but simply showing a willingness to listen.

Al Gore was right to have faith in his fellow Americans. But he was wrong if he believed that the selection of a well-respected, engaging, popular and even historic VP nominee would be enough to have a major impact on his campaign. Just ask Bob Dole about his 1996 VP pick-- former Buffalo Bills Quarterback, New York Congressman and HUD Secretary, Jack Kemp.

Joe Lieberman and Jack Kemp have a great deal in common -- both are popular, well-respected, and engaging speakers; both are against capital gains taxes, and in favor of school vouchers; and both often find themselves outside the ranks of their party's leadership in order to speak what is in their hearts.

And now both have been asked to shore up lagging Presidential campaigns.

But while the VP selection process might make for enjoyable speculation and a day or two of catchy headlines, that's about it. At the end of the day, this race is still a contest between the two Juniors, and they both know it. It is poor form for Democrats to suggest that if the American public hesitates to support Al Gore, it is due to his running mate's religious beliefs.

After all, in 1996, no one ever suggested that if Dole-Kemp failed to carry Texas, it would be due to the "Dallas Cowboys vs. Buffalo Bills" rivalry.


Five Favorite Sites For Beginners:

  • The Center for Responsive Politics - The definitive site for campaign financing. Searchable databases by state and zip code allow you to learn how much candidates have raised, and who has contributed to their campaigns. Indispensable.
  • Vote NYC - The New York City Board of Elections. A simple yet thorough primer on voting. How, when, where and why to vote in New York City.
  • The NYC Voter Assistance Commission - Yet another NYC site that provides the ABC's of voting -- in Spanish, English, Korean, Russian and Greek. Voter reg forms, info on the election year calendar, registration deadlines and elected officials. Learn how to become an election day worker: promote democracy and earn some extra cash.
  • Project Vote Smart - A wonk's delight. Enter your zip code to find out who represents you. Extensive information about candidates in all levels of government. Searchable by state, with excellent state legislative links. Biographies and (largely unflattering) pics of all NY legislators. Info on ballot measures too.
  • NYC Campaign Finance Board - Information on the financial particulars of candidates and their campaigns. The searchable database on contributions is both impressive and easily accessible: who gave money to whom and how much.
  • The City Council - The indispensable road map to NYC legislators and legislative info. Find out who represents you and every other imaginable detail about the Council's workings: rules, hearings, committees, news, legislative agenda, and the list goes on. Links to all other City government sites.


Other Recommendations:

  • The Federal Election Commissions Guide to Contribution and Solicitation Limits in the 50 States - A dense but informative guide to who can give how much and how, all across the country.
  • Jon Corzine - The official campaign site, with requisite red, white and blue logo.
  • Bob Franks - The first thing you see on Franks' official site is a letter to New Jersey voters: "If you share my commitment to fiscally responsible government..." No doubt, a jab at Corzine.
  • Prime New York - Congressional, state senate, state assembly and City Council districts. Find out who represents you on each level of government. Voter statistics and extensive maps. Very useful.
  • New York TImes Senate polls - The latest NYT polls shows Hizzoner and HRC are neck and neck. Excellent links to past articles on the campaign, discussion forums, and candidates websites. Indispensable.
  • Hillary Clinton - What more is there to say about HRC? Check out the site.
    Rick Lazio - Now that Rudy is yesterday's news, information on the newer, spunkier candidate is available here.

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