Gotham Gazette

The Place for New York Policy and politics

Bump the Birds


By now, you have seen flocks of petitioners on street corners across the five boroughs, hovering amicably with clipboards in tow.

They are scavenging for thousands of signatures to get their candidate on the ballot -- a prerequisite to the city's campaign season.

But getting on the ballot isn't exactly smooth flying. For many, it's like fighting off a flock of vultures. Opponents will challenge every signature a candidate has in hopes of shooting down the competition and swooping into office.

Now it's your turn.

Attempt to alight on the ballot as Hektor Heron, a comptroller candidate endorsed by the local party. You can try pecking your way through as Pidge the Populist, an insurgent City Council candidate. Or you can try to strut on the general election ballot as the third party candidate, Starla the Citizen Upstart.

Don't let your chance to get on the ballot fly away from you.

Play Bump now.

To learn more about the city's ballot process, see Understanding the Labyrinth: New York's Ballot Access Laws.



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