Polls Open Today
This is it KCP fans, frenemies, lovers, haters and passionate people in the electoral process. The polls are open from 6 a.m.-9 p.m. today. Click here if you don’t know your polling place and want to find out where it is.
So speak with your vote for your favorite state assembly, state senate, Democratic and Republican district leaders, and local civil and state supreme court judges. And check out KCP tomorrow for all the results!
Gillibrand Re-Introduces Voter Empowerment Act
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, joined with a partisan group of Democratic U.S. Senators yesterday to re-introduced the Senate version of the Voter Empowerment Act.
The legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Civil Rights icon Rep. John Lewis along with more than 170 Democratic Members of Congress.
Currently, 20 states have created new barriers to the ballot box since 2010. The Voter Empowerment Act would help eliminate these barriers by ensuring voters have access to the ballot, preserving integrity in voting systems, and demanding accountability in elections.
“Our right to vote is sacred – it’s one of the most precious rights we have as American citizens – and we need to make sure we’re doing everything we can to protect it,” said Gillibrand. “I’m proud to reintroduce the Voter Empowerment Act to help give Americans the opportunity to have their voices heard on Election Day without obstruction. I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation, which would modernize our voter registration process, eliminate barriers that discourage people from casting their ballots, and ensure that voting is equal, fair, and accessible for all Americans.”
Among other things, the legislation, if enacted, would:
Ensure Access to the Ballot:
- Modernize the voter registration system
- Ensure access to online voter registration
- Ensure ballots are counted from Americans serving in the military or overseas
- Allow same day registration
- Notify voters when voting changes are made
- Encourage youth to become voters
- Assist voters with disabilities
- Restore rehabilitated citizens’ right to vote
Preserve Integrity in Voting Systems:
- Restore trust in elections officials
- Provide informed and reliable poll workers
- Count all provisional ballots
- Prohibit voter caging
- Protect voters from deceptive practices and intimidation
Demand Accountability in Election Administration:
- Create a national voter hotline
- Ensure votes are counted correctly
- Reauthorize the Election Assistance Commission
A one-pager on the Voter Empowerment Act may be found here.
Donovan Vows To Fight Obama’s Threat To Veto Of JASTA
Congressman Dan Donovan (Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island) yesterday vowed to help lead the charge override President Obama’s threat to veto the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA).
The House unanimously passed the bill Friday allowing families of 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia in U.S. courts. All of Brooklyn’s federal lawmakers also support the measure.
But the Obama administration argues it could open up the U.S. to retaliation from other countries that enact similar laws in the future.
“Foreign threats can’t dictate American policy. Nothing outweighs the justified desire of 9/11 families to have their day in court. Nearly 3,000 American lives were taken 15 years ago, and their families’ tireless pursuit of justice sent a bill unanimously through Congress and to the President’s desk. Frankly, it’s shameful for the President to prioritize Saudi sensitivities over American families that suffered unimaginable loss,” said Donovan.
“The President needs to reevaluate his decision. If not, I’ll be pushing for a veto override,” he added.
Adams Announces 2016 BEAT Festival
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams and the 2016 BEAT Festival yesterday announced their partnership for the fifth annual BEAT Festival to showcase Brooklyn’s most exciting crop of local dance, theater, and voice talent, performing in unique locations borough-wide.
The festival will run from September 15-23 with Adams kicking off the celebration on opening night by declaring September 15, “BEAT Festival Day in Brooklyn.”
“I’m proud to support the fifth annual BEAT Festival and its efforts to build on our artistic traditions as well as allow young, diverse performers and playwrights to demonstrate their talents to the world, all while celebrating our cultural legacy with 10 days of experimental dance, theater, and vocal performances that feature more than a dozen cutting-edge local artists in venues throughout Brooklyn,” said Adams. “Join me as we honor the many contributions of the performing arts to our community and to the invaluable Brooklyn brand.”
The partnership will allow the festival to be promoted to a wider audience — not just throughout Brooklyn but all around the five boroughs. For the fifth year, BEAT has put together an amazing lineup that includes special one-time collaborations curated specifically for BEAT.
BEAT Festival opening night will be held from 7-9 p.m., September 15 at the Brooklyn Museum on Eastern Parkway and Washington Avenue, where all of this year’s BEAT Festival artists will perform throughout Brooklyn’s largest cultural institution. Free performances will take place in all corners and halls of the building and the evening will be a true celebration of Brooklyn performing arts. Guests will have access to the museum, including many of its most popular current exhibits,
For more information about BEAT’s calendar of events — including participating artists, times, and venues — visit beatbrooklyn.com.
Lander Gears Up For Participatory Budgeting
City Council Member Brad Lander (Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington) is gearing up for this year’s participatory budgeting process with a push to fund fixes in the district’s schools.
“Participatory budgeting served as a vital tool to fill needs in our schools. It’s how we raised citywide attention on fixing school bathrooms, how we’re upgrading outdated auditoriums, and how we’re turning an unused room into a space for yoga and dance,” said Lander in his e-newsletter.
“Last year alone you voted to retrofit auditorium lights at PS 282, bring 3 new mobile laptop cars to West Brooklyn Community High School, and improve translation services with new equipment at PS 130, 131, 179, 230, and MS 839 – and we’re gearing up for another big year,” he added.
Lander is holding a special PBNYC education focused assembly at 6:30 p.m., September 19 at the Carroll Gardens Library, 396 Clinton St. (near Union Street). RSVP for the PBNYC Education Assembly at the Carroll Gardens Library here.
Williams Wishes Muslim Constituents a Happy Eid al-Adha
City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) D-Brooklyn), released the following statement in regards to Eid al-Adha, the Muslim holiday celebrated this week among thousands this week.
“I would like to extend my best wishes to our Muslim neighbors and friends on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. Eid al-Adha – or the Greater Eid – commemorates the willingness of Abraham and exemplifies the Muslim principles of charity, sacrifice and justice. As many gather for these celebrations, Muslim New Yorkers are among the millions of pilgrims in Mecca, participating in one of the world’s largest gathering to share in reverent prayer,” said Williams.
“This week is a very special time of spiritual cleansing and reflection in America for numerous religions, especially those of Abrahamic faiths. As a community, and regardless of our own personal creed, Eid reminds us to celebrate our rights and cultural diversity, equality, peace and justice for every human being. It’s even more timely to recommit to these values given the recent attacks on Muslim New Yorkers we’ve endured.
“May this time be a meaningful, spiritual experience for all who celebrate it. Eid Mubarak.”
