Local politics 101

City Councilmember, Assemblyman, State Senator…so many local officials…what’s the difference?

The Councilmember represents our community down at City Hall, where the major issues addressed include: education, parks, public safety, land use, sanitation, building codes, traffic issues, and more.   The State Senator and Assemblyman represent our community in Albany, seat of the State government.  In New York the State government has authority over far more aspects of life here in the city than many people realize, including in the areas of taxes, public transportation, rent regulation, criminal justice issues (including the death penalty), women’s reproductive rights, funding of CUNY colleges, and the Port Authority..

What are the local positions within the Democratic party, and why should I care?

Though not everyone knows it, registered Democrats have the right to choose their local leadership in the Democratic Party.  

• On primary day in odd years we elect our Democratic District Leader, which helps set policy and choose leaders for the Manhattan Democratic party organization.  The District Leader plays a role in running election day operations and, indirectly, in selecting judges..  
• On primary day in even years we elect our local representative to the Democratic State Committee, the body which sets policy and selects party leaders for New York State.
• In odd-year primaries we also elect our Democratic County Committeepeople, each one of which serves an area of just a few square blocks.  The county committee plays a particularly important role in filling vacancies when an elected official should leave office before their term is up.  

So how come you almost never see listings for these offices on the ballot when you vote on primary today?

Because incumbents are rarely challenged, and an office only appears on the ballot if there are two or more candidates.  

Is it true that some judges are elected in New York?

Yes, Civil Court and Supreme Court judges are elected to 10- and 14-year terms, respectively, while most other judges are appointed.  Civil court hears non-criminal lawsuits which have a monetary value of no more than $25,000.  The Supreme Court of New York is not the highest court as it is in most other states and in the federal judiciary (here the Court of Appeal has that distinction), it is simply a general statewide trial-court.

The nomination of the Democratic party is tantamount to victory in a general election for judgeships.  Party leaders have the ability to designate judicial nominees directly for some positions, while others gain primary ballot access through a complicated internal-party system.   Contested Democratic primaries for Judgeships are rare…all the action happens behind the scenes before the primary.  

What’s the Community Board?

Every neighborhood in New York City is served by a Community Board.  Manhattan north of 155th Street is served by Community Board 12.  The area between 110th St. and 155th Street, from the Hudson River to St. Nicholas/Edgecomb Aves., is served by Community Board 9.   The 50 members of each Community Board are appointed by the Borough President, with half that number nominated by local councilmembers.

The City Charter (the equivalents of NYC’s constitution) grants Community Boards an important advisory role on land use and zoning, budget issues, municipal service delivery and much more.  The Boards provide an import way for the community to make its voice heard in an official capacity.  The Boards’ monthly meeting are open to the general public.   

Got another question? Contact me!