BP Adams To Demand Series Of Fundamental Election Reforms
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams will demand a series of fundamental reforms today in the wake of widespread voting problems at poll sites across Brooklyn and New York City on Election Day.
On Tuesday, reported issues at poll sites have included delayed poll site openings, long lines lasting upwards of two hours, optical scanners breaking down repeatedly and not operating properly, thousands of voters having one operating machine or none at dozens of locations, as well as a limited number of technicians available to repair broken machinery.
Adams visited poll sites with broken machines in Bay Ridge, Bedford-Stuyvesant, and Fort Greene yesterday after receiving detailed messages of troubles across the borough. Joined by elected colleagues and concerned New Yorkers, he will put forward several measures to tackle the crises that emerged this Election Day.
The event is slated for 11 a.m., today, Nov. 7, at Brooklyn Board of Elections, at 345 Adams Street in Downtown Brooklyn.
Velázquez Celebrates Election Night Win, Gets 14th Term
Incumbent Democrat Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-Brooklyn, Queens, Lower Manhattan) will return to the U.S. House of Representative for a fourteenth term representing New York’s 7th Congressional District.
The outspoken and anti-Trump Congresswoman won her political race with a landslide victory of 93 percent of the vote compared to her two challengers, Joseph Lieberman (CRV) who finished with nearly six percent of the vote and Jeffrey Kurzon’s (Ref) with just one percent, according to unofficial results as reported by New York 1.
“Today the American people spoke with a resounding voice in rejecting the heartless, hateful policies of Donald Trump and his Congressional Republican enablers. Donald Trump previously suggested he, himself was on the ballot today and the American people — from big cities to small towns and everywhere in between — voted accordingly. After two very long years, this is an important repudiation of policies that put children in cages, ignore the plight of American citizens in Puerto Rico and that finance tax cuts for the wealthy by exploding the deficit and raiding Social Security and Medicare,” said Velazquez.
“It is my hope that our new Democratic Majority will not only stop the extremist Trump agenda in its tracks, but also work to implement progressive policies that benefit working families in New York City and throughout our nation. In the new Congress, I look forward to pushing policies that make housing more affordable, raise wages, preserve important pre-existing conditions protections and make healthcare more affordable and accessible for all. This election felt personal for many Americans, but especially for Latinos. To that end, I’ll continue advancing equality for all, especially Hispanic Americans and our immigrant brothers and sisters of all backgrounds. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but tonight’s results are an important stride in the right direction,” added Velazquez.
Mosley Denounces BOE For Ballot Scanner Breakdown Problems
Assembly member Walter T. Mosley (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights) denounced the Board of Elections (BOE) yesterday after a series of ballot scanners broke down across the borough yesterday, during Election Day.
In once case, the voting conditions at the Ingersoll Community Center in Fort Greene, experienced complete chaos as all the ballot scanners were broken at once and hundreds of voters were left confused and frustrated while waiting for hours to vote. In the wake of the mounting issues, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson called on the Director of the BOE to resign.
“The Board of Elections has had months to ensure that ballot scanners are operational for General Election Day. With the expected high turnout for today’s election they should have been prepared for every possible situation,” said Mosley.
“Instead, they have once again shown their incompetence, which leaves it up to the legislature to ensure that voting in New York is made an easier process. It is imperative that the State Senate – regardless of who is in the majority – finally take up early voting next year so that New Yorkers are not kept from voting on Election Day when issues like scanner breakdowns arise,” added Mosley.
Menchaca To Hosts Meeting To Address Homelessness
City Council member Carlos Menchaca (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook) will hold a community discussion on the homelessness issue facing CD 38.
The meeting will focus on community concerns and potential issues with having an active homeless shelter community in the district. City agencies that will be in attendance include Department of Social Services, the New York Police Department’s (NYPD) 72 Precinct, and the Community Board 7 Ad Hoc Committee on Homelessness Issues.
“This is a complex issue. On one side, we have people who are trying to stay off the streets, who are in programs to find work and stable housing. On another side, we have residents that see crime happening in front of their kids and outside their homes. We also have people who are not part of the homeless shelter system who are taking advantage of the situation to engage in unsafe and illegal behavior,” said Menchaca.
“It is critical that we take public safety concerns seriously, but I also want to make sure we are empowering residents at the shelters by informing them of their rights and the services available to them. We need to talk constructively about the issues we are facing and we must listen to each other to do so. It is important that everyone in our community attends this meeting and not just the folks typically involved on this issue. We need to hear from all you,” added Menchaca.
The event is slated for 6:30 p.m., today, Nov. 7, at 4201 4th Avenue in Sunset Park.
