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Public advocate election in New York, New York (2019)

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2019 New York elections
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Election dates
Filing deadline: January 15, 2019 & April 4, 2019
General election: February 26, 2019 & November 5, 2019
Election stats
Offices up: Public advocate
Total seats up: 1
Election type: Nonpartisan
Other municipal elections
U.S. municipal elections, 2019

Jumaane Williams, a New York City councilman representing parts of Brooklyn, won the special election for New York City public advocate on February 26, 2019.[1][2]

Former public advocate Letitia James was elected attorney general of New York in 2018 and Corey Johnson became the acting public advocate on January 1, 2019, when James was sworn into her new position.[3] After winning the February election, Williams was elected to the remainder of James' unexpired term in a second special election in November 2019.[4]

Williams defeated sixteen other candidates to win the February special election with 32.8% of the vote. In regular citywide elections, a runoff election is called if no candidate passes the 40 percent threshold in a primary election. That rule did not apply to the public advocate special election since partisan primaries were not held.[5][6][7][8]

The public advocate is first in the mayoral line of succession and acts as a watchdog and ombudsman for the public.[9] The public advocate may sit in meetings of the City Council and introduce legislation but may not vote on any measure.[10] Although the position has little direct power, it is seen as a launching pad for higher office.[9]

As of the 2019 elections, there had been four public advocates, not including Johnson, and two had advanced to higher office in New York following their tenure: James and Bill de Blasio, who became mayor of New York City in 2014.


Elections

November election

The filing deadline for this election was April 4, 2019. The general election was scheduled for November 5, 2019.[11]

General election

Special general election for New York City Public Advocate

Incumbent Jumaane Williams defeated Joe Borelli and Devin Balkind in the special general election for New York City Public Advocate on November 5, 2019.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Jumaane Williams
Jumaane Williams (D)
 
77.9
 
607,441
Image of Joe Borelli
Joe Borelli (R / Conservative Party)
 
19.9
 
155,617
Image of Devin Balkind
Devin Balkind (L)
 
2.0
 
15,676
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.2
 
1,461

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 780,195
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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February special election

Results

See also: Public advocate election in New York, New York (2019)

General election

Special general election for New York City Public Advocate

The following candidates ran in the special general election for New York City Public Advocate on February 26, 2019.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Jumaane Williams
Jumaane Williams (Nonpartisan)
 
32.8
 
138,803
Image of Eric Ulrich
Eric Ulrich (Nonpartisan)
 
19.0
 
80,308
Image of Melissa Mark-Viverito
Melissa Mark-Viverito (Nonpartisan)
 
11.2
 
47,375
Image of Michael Blake
Michael Blake (Nonpartisan)
 
8.4
 
35,416
Image of Ydanis Rodriguez
Ydanis Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)
 
6.0
 
25,253
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Dawn Smalls (Nonpartisan)
 
4.1
 
17,420
Image of Rafael Espinal
Rafael Espinal (Nonpartisan)
 
3.2
 
13,482
Image of Daniel O'Donnell
Daniel O'Donnell (Nonpartisan)
 
3.0
 
12,774
Image of Ron Kim
Ron Kim (Nonpartisan)
 
2.8
 
11,849
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Benjamin Yee (Nonpartisan)
 
2.5
 
10,701
Image of Nomiki Konst
Nomiki Konst (Nonpartisan)
 
2.3
 
9,738
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Helal Sheikh (Nonpartisan)
 
1.3
 
5,347
Image of David Eisenbach
David Eisenbach (Nonpartisan)
 
0.8
 
3,491
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Manny Alicandro (Nonpartisan)
 
0.8
 
3,373
Image of Anthony Herbert
Anthony Herbert (Nonpartisan)
 
0.8
 
3,189
Image of Latrice Walker
Latrice Walker (Nonpartisan)
 
0.6
 
2,549
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Jared Rich (Nonpartisan)
 
0.2
 
1,053
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.2
 
825

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 422,946
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Candidates

Though the special election was nonpartisan, candidates were allowed to file with their own party line as long as it did not resemble an established political party's name.[12] The party lines chosen by each candidate are in a collapsed table below the candidate list. Click [show] to see the list of party lines.

General election candidates


Did not make the ballot:

Candidate Connection = candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey

Candidate backgrounds

The following chart indicates whether a candidate has served on the City Council or in the New York State Assembly. It also includes the name of the party line each candidate created.[13]

Endorsements

The list below summarizes the endorsements Ballotpedia identified for candidates in this race. Except where noted otherwise, they were reported by City & State NY.[14]

Do you know of an official or organization that endorsed a candidate in this race? Let Ballotpedia know by email at editor@ballotpedia.org.

Michael Blake

David Eisenbach

  • Brooklyn Progressive Alliance

Rafael Espinal

  • Musician Marky Ramone

Ron Kim

Nomiki Konst

Melissa Mark-Viverito

  • Latino Victory Fund
  • United Sanitationmen’s Association Local 831
  • State Asw. Catalina Cruz
  • New York City Councilmember Diana Ayala
  • New York City Councilmember Margaret Chin
  • New York City Councilmember Mark Levine
  • LGBTQ activist Melissa Sklarz

Daniel O'Donnell

Eric Ulrich

  • Bronx GOP
  • Brooklyn GOP
  • Manhattan GOP
  • Queens GOP
  • Staten Island GOP

Latrice Walker

Jumaane Williams

  • 504 Democratic Club
  • Brooklyn Progressive Alliance
  • Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats
  • Community Voices Heard Power
  • Four Freedoms Democratic Club
  • Indivisible Nation Brooklyn
  • New Kings Democrats
  • New York Communities for Change
  • New York Progressive Action Network
  • North Brooklyn Progressive Democratic Club
  • Shirley Chisholm Democratic Club
  • Working Families Party
  • 100 Black Construction Workers
  • Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York
  • DC 1707
  • Laborers Local 79
  • Metallic Lathers Local 46
  • New York City District Council of Carpenters
  • New York State LiUNA
  • Professional Staff Congress CUNY
  • Sheet Metal Workers Local 28
  • SSEU Local 371
  • UA Local 1
  • State Sen. Kevin Parker
  • State Sen. Roxanne Persaud
  • State Sen. Julia Salazar
  • State Sen. James Sanders
  • State Asw. Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn
  • State Asw. Mathylde Frontus
  • State Asm. Walter Mosley
  • State Asw. Diana Richardson
  • State Asm. Al Taylor
  • State Asw. Helene Weinstein
  • State Asw. Jamie Williams
  • New York City Councilmember Laurie Cumbo
  • New York City Councilmember Ben Kallos
  • New York City Councilmember Andy King
  • New York City Councilmember Brad Lander
  • New York City Councilmember Daneek Miller
  • New York City Councilmember Antonio Reynoso
  • New York City Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer
  • Former New York City Public Advocate Mark Green
  • Kings County Democratic Chairman Frank Seddio
  • Former attorney general candidate Zephyr Teachout
  • Actress Alyssa Milano

Benjamin Yee

  • One Queens Indivisible
  • Village Independent Democrats

Campaign finance


Debates and forums

February 20, 2019, debate

Seven candidates—Blake, Espinal, Kim, Konst, Mark-Viverito, Smalls, and Williams—qualified for the final televised debate of the election. The requirements included raising and spending at least $170,813 and receiving an endorsement from an elected official representing New York City at the local, state or federal level, or by a membership organization in New York City with at least 250 members.[16]

  • Find the Gotham Gazette round-up of the debate here.
  • Find the NY1 round-up of the debate here.

February 6, 2019, debate

Blake, Espinal, Kim, Konst, Mark-Viverito, O'Donnell, Rodriguez, Smalls, Ulrich, and Williams participated in a debate hosted by NY1 on February 6, 2019.

  • Find the City and State NY round-up of the debate here.
  • Find the Gotham Gazette round-up of the debate here.
  • Find the NY1 round-up of the debate here.

November 14, 2018, debate

Seven candidates—Blake, O'Connell, Espinal, Konst, Smalls, Ulrich, and Williams—participated in a debate hosted by the Citizens Union, AARP New York, and New York Law School, and moderated by Ben Max on November 14, 2018.

  • Find the Gotham Gazette round-up of the debate here.
  • Find the Politico round-up of the debate here.

Candidate video profiles

Gotham Gazette and Manhattan Neighborhood News published a series of interviews with 14 of the candidates introducing themselves and their platforms to voters.[17]

Manny Alicandro, released February 20, 2019
Michael Blake, released February 20, 2019
David Eisenbach, released February 20, 2019
Rafael Espinal, released February 20, 2019
Tony Herbert, released February 20, 2019
Nomiki Konst, released February 20, 2019
Daniel O'Donnell, released February 20, 2019
Jared Rich, released February 20, 2019
Ydanis Rodriguez, released February 20, 2019
Dawn Smalls, released February 20, 2019
Eric Ulrich, released February 20, 2019
Melissa Mark-Viverito, released February 20, 2019

Ballot measures

See also: November 5, 2019 ballot measures in New York

• Ballot Question 1, New York City Elections Charter Amendment: Ranked-Choice Voting, Vacancies, and City Council Redistricting Timeline Approveda

A yes vote was a vote in favor of amending the city charter to do the following:
  • establish ranked-choice voting to be used for primary and special elections beginning in 2021;
  • increase the time between a city office vacancy and the special election to fill it from 45 days (60 for mayor) to 80 days; and
  • change the timeline for city council redistricting to complete it prior to city council nominating petition signature collection.
A no vote was a vote against amending the city charter regarding elections policy, thereby
  • leaving in place a plurality (or first-past-the-post) system for most city elections;
  • leaving the time between a city office vacancy and the special election to fill it at 45 days (60 days for mayor); and
  • leaving the timeline for city council redistricting unchanged.

• Ballot Question 4, New York City City Budget Charter Amendment: Revenue Stabilization Fund, Public Advocate and Borough President Budgets, and Reporting by Mayor Approveda

A yes vote was a vote in favor of amending the city charter to do the following:
  • authorize a rainy day fund to go into effect with required state law changes;
  • set minimum Public Advocate and Borough President budgets based on the 2020 fiscal year adjusted based on inflation or the total change in the city's total budget;
  • move the deadline for the mayor's revenue report (excluding property taxes) to the city council from June 5 to April 26; and
  • set a deadline of 30 days for the mayor to submit changes to the city's financial plan requiring budget changes to the city council.
A no vote was a vote against amending the city charter regarding certain elements of the city budget, thereby
  • leaving charter provisions precluding a rainy-day fund in place;
  • leaving the Public Advocate and Borough President budgets set through the standard budget process;
  • leave the deadline for the mayor's revenue report to the city council at June 5; and
  • leaving no specification about when the mayor must submit certain budget changes to the city council.

• Ballot Question 2, New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board Charter Amendment Approveda

A yes vote was a vote in favor of amending the city charter to do the following:
  • add two members to the 13-member Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB)—one appointed by the Public Advocate and one jointly by the mayor and speaker of the council;
  • allow the city council to appoint members directly without the mayor having final appointing authority;
  • require the CCRB annual budget to be enough to hire employees for at least one CCRB for every 154 police officers (0.65% of the city's police force) unless the mayor determines that fiscal necessity prevents it;
  • add to the city charter the requirement that the city police commissioner to provide an explanation to the CCRB whenever the board's disciplinary recommendations aren't followed;
  • authorize the CCRB to investigate the truthfulness of statements made during its investigation of complaints; and
  • allow the CCRB to delegate its authority to issue and enforce subpoenas.
A no vote was a vote against amending the city charter regarding the CCRB, thereby
  • leaving 13 board members, with five designated by the city council and three designated by the police commissioner and all final appointments made by the mayor;
  • leaving no minimum budget requirements based on a ratio to police officers;
  • leaving a 2012 agreement in place that the city police commissioner provide a report to the CCRB when disciplinary recommendations aren't followed but without a provision requiring it in the city charter;
  • leaving existing practices of the CCRB in place to forward evidence of false statements during investigations to the NYPD for investigation; and
  • leaving the CCRB, but not certain CCRB staff such as the CCRB executive director, with authority to issue and enforce subpoenas.

• Ballot Question 5, New York City Land Use Charter Amendment: Uniform Land Use Review Procedure Requirements Approveda

A yes vote was a vote in favor of amending the city charter to do the following:
  • require the Department of City Planning (DCP) to provide a summary of Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) projects to the Borough President, Board and Community Board affected by the project 30 days prior to when the project application is certified for review by the public and
  • increase the amount of time allowed for review of the ULURP projects by the affected Community Boards from 60 days to either 75 days or 90 days, depending on timing.
A no vote was a vote against amending the city charter concerning certain elements of reporting and review timing with regard to ULURP projects.

• Ballot Question 3, New York City Ethics and Government Charter Amendment Approveda

A yes vote was a vote in favor of amending the city charter to do the following:
  • increase the amount of time after leaving service before elected city officials and senior appointed officials can appear before the city agencies in which they served from one year to two years;
  • replace two of five members of the Conflicts of Interest Board (COIB) appointed by the mayor with a member appointed by the comptroller and a member appointed by the public advocate;
  • prohibit members of the COIB from involvement with city office campaigns and restrict contributions from COIB members to campaigns to between $250 and $400 depending on the office;
  • add to the city charter a requirement that the Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) to report directly to the mayor and to require a mayoral office for the M/WBE; and
  • require city council confirmation of the city's corporation counsel appointed by the mayor.
A no vote was a vote against amending the city charter concerning the Conflicts of Interest Board and the Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), thereby
  • leaving the block of time required before certain city officials can appear before their former agencies at one year;
  • leaving all five existing mayoral appointments to the COIB;
  • leaving COIB members without additional restrictions on campaign involvement and contribution limits;
  • leaving no requirements concerning reporting by the director of the M/WBE to the mayor or concerning supporting roles for the M/WBE in the charter; and
  • continuing to authorize the mayor to appoint the corporation counsel without city council confirmation.

Additional elections on the ballot

See also: New York elections, 2019

Some residents of New York City also voted for offices in their boroughs on November 5, 2019:

What's on your ballot?
Click here to find out using My Vote

New York public advocates, 1994-2019

The following individuals served as New York public advocate, beginning with the office's establishment in 1994. Three of the four elected public advocates sought higher office. Two won their elections: Bill de Blasio for mayor of New York City in 2013 and Letitia James for state attorney general in 2018.

All five public advocates, elected and acting, have been affiliated with the Democratic Party.

New York public advocates, 1994-2019
Official Party affiliation Tenure Other offices sought
Mark J. Green
Mark J. Green.jpg

 Democratic Party Democratic Party January 1, 1994 – December 31, 2001
  • Lost race for mayor of New York City in 2001
  • Lost race for New York attorney general in 2006
  • Lost race for New York public advocate in 2009
Betsy Gotbaum
Betsy Gotbaum.png

 Democratic Party Democratic Party January 1, 2002 – December 31, 2009
Bill de Blasio
Bill de Blasio New.png

 Democratic Party Democratic Party January 1, 2010 – December 31, 2013
  • Won race for mayor of New York City in 2013
Letitia James
Letitia James.png

 Democratic Party Democratic Party January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2018
  • Won race for New York attorney general in 2018
Corey Johnson
Corey Johnson.png

 Democratic Party Democratic Party (acting public advocate)
January 1, 2019 – March 6, 2019

About the office

The office of public advocate was created by the 1989 Charter Revision Commission, renaming the previously ceremonial position of president of the City Council.[10] According to the City Council website, the public advocate is "a government official who champions the public and ensures government is responsive to their needs."[18]

The public advocate may sit in meetings and introduce legislation but may not cast a vote.[10] The public advocate's compensation includes an $184,800 salary, a driver, and an office at the Municipal Building.[19]

The office is often characterized as a springboard for higher elected office.[19] Here is how the office has been described by several outlets:

“ The office of the New York City public advocate is like the pinky toe of political posts: It looks like it’s there to help, at least a little, but it’s not clear what exactly it does. New York City government could seemingly function without one. That’s a sign the job, unless it’s abolished altogether, should be redesigned to have clear power and a delineated role.[20] ”
—Ross Barkan, City & State NY[19]
“ The office, whose occupant would replace the mayor if he left office before completing his term, is seen by many as a stepping stone for a mayoral bid. ... That is not merely a consequence of the political aspirations of those who have held the office – it had actually been one intended purpose of the role when it was created by the city’s 1989 Charter Revision Commission, according to Eric Lane, who served as executive director and counsel of the commission. With the elimination of the once-influential New York City Board of Estimate and the creation of the City Council speaker, the now non-existent role of City Council president would become largely ceremonial. So Lane said that after much debate, the commission decided to keep the public advocate position and redefine it so as to give more people of color an opportunity to get involved in city government.[20] ”
—Rebecca C. Lewis, City & State NY[10]
“ But the office is pointless, other than to serve as an official title for politicians between jobs. Constitutionally, the office holder is second in line to the mayor—so there is an incredibly outside chance that public advocates will hit the political lottery and be catapulted into a position of immense power—but they’re more likely to get struck by lightning.[20] ”
—Queens Tribune[21]

Charter

The following text from Chapter 2 § 24 of the New York City Charter covers the election and duties of the public advocate:[22]

“

Section 24. Public advocate.

a. The public advocate shall be elected by the electors of the city at the same time and for the same term as in this charter prescribed for the mayor. A public advocate who resigns or is removed from office prior to the completion of a full term shall be deemed to have held that office for a full term for purposes of Section 1138 of the charter.

b. The public advocate may be removed or suspended in the same manner as provided in this charter with respect to the mayor.

c. Any vacancy in the office of public advocate shall be filled by popular election in the following manner:

1. Within three days of the occurrence of a vacancy in the office of the public advocate, the mayor shall proclaim the date for the election or elections required by this subdivision, provide notice of such proclamation to the city clerk and the board of elections and publish notice thereof in the City Record. After the proclamation of the date for an election to be held pursuant to paragraphs four or five of this subdivision, the city clerk shall publish notice thereof not less than twice in each week preceding the date of such election in newspapers distributed within the city, and the board of elections shall mail notice of such election to all registered voters within the city.

2. If a vacancy occurs during the first three years of the term, a general election to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term shall be held in the year in which the vacancy occurs, unless the vacancy occurs after the last day on which an occurring vacancy may be filled at the general election in that same year with party nominations of candidates for such election being made at a primary election, as provided in section 6-116 of the election law. If such a vacancy occurs in any year after such last day, it shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term at the general election in the following year provided, however, that no general election to fill a vacancy shall be held in the last year of the term, except as provided in paragraph nine of this subdivision. Party nominations of candidates for a general election to fill a vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term shall be made at a primary election, except as provided in paragraph five of this subdivision.

3. If a special or general election to fill the vacancy on an interim basis has not been previously held pursuant to paragraphs four, six, seven and eight of this subdivision, the person elected to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term at a general election shall take office immediately upon qualification and shall serve until the term expires. If a special or general election to fill the vacancy on an interim basis has been previously held, the person elected to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term at a general election shall take office on January first of the year following such general election and shall serve until the term expires.

4. If a vacancy occurs during the first three years of the term and on or before the last day in the third year of the term on which an occurring vacancy may be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term at a general election with party nominations of candidates for such election being made at a primary election, as provided in section 6-116 of the election law, a special or general election to fill the vacancy on an interim basis shall be held, unless the vacancy occurs less than ninety days before the next primary election at which party nominations for a general election to fill the vacancy may be made and on or before the last day on which an occurring vacancy may be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term at the general election in the same year in which the vacancy occurs with party nominations of candidates for

such election being made at a primary election, as provided in section 6-116 of the election law.

5. If a vacancy occurs after the last day in the third year of the term on which an occurring vacancy may be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term at a general election in such year with party nominations of candidates for such election being made at a primary election, as provided in section 6-116 of the election law, but not less than ninety days before the date of the primary election in the fourth year of such term, a special or general election to fill such vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term shall be held.

6. Elections held pursuant to paragraph four or five of this subdivision shall be scheduled in the following manner: A special election to fill the vacancy shall be held on the first Tuesday at least forty-five days after the occurrence of the vacancy, provided that the mayor, in the proclamation required by paragraph one of this subdivision, may schedule such election for another day no more than ten days after such Tuesday and not less than forty days after such proclamation if the mayor determines that such rescheduling is necessary to facilitate maximum voter participation; except that

(a) if the vacancy occurs before September twentieth in any year and the first Tuesday at least forty-five days after the occurrence of the vacancy is less than ninety days before a regularly scheduled general election or between a primary and a general election, the vacancy shall be filled at such general election;

(b) if the vacancy occurs before September twentieth in any year and the first Tuesday at least forty-five days after the occurrence of the vacancy is after a regularly scheduled general election, the vacancy shall be filled at such general election; and

(c) if the vacancy occurs on or after September twentieth in any year and the first Tuesday at least forty-five days after the occurrence of the vacancy is after, but less than thirty days after, a regularly scheduled general election, the vacancy shall be filled at a special election to be held on the first Tuesday in December in such year.

7. All nominations for elections to fill vacancies held pursuant to paragraphs four and five of this subdivision shall be by independent nominating petition. A signature on an independent nominating petition made earlier than the date of the proclamation required by paragraph one of this subdivision shall not be counted.

8. A person elected to fill a vacancy in the office of public advocate at an election held pursuant to paragraph four of this subdivision shall take office immediately upon qualification and serve until December thirty-first of the year in which the vacancy is filled for the remainder of the unexpired term pursuant to paragraph two of this subdivision. A person elected to fill a vacancy in the office of public advocate at an election held pursuant to paragraph five of this subdivision shall take office immediately upon qualification and serve until the term expires.

9. If a vacancy occurs less than ninety days before the date of the primary election in the last year of the term, the person elected at the general election in such year for the next succeeding term shall take office immediately upon qualification and fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term.

d. The public advocate may, by written authority filed with the appropriate board, body or committee and with the city clerk, designate any two officers or employees appointed by the public advocate to exercise the powers specified in this subdivision. Either such officer or employee, so designated, may act in the place of the public advocate on any board, body or committee, other than the council, of which the

public advocate is a member whenever the public advocate shall be absent from a meeting of said board, body or committee for any reason whatever.

e. The public advocate shall have the right to participate in the discussion of the council but shall not have a vote.

f. In addition to other duties and responsibilities, the public advocate shall serve as the public advocate and shall (1) monitor the operation of the public information and service complaint programs of city agencies and make proposals to improve such programs; (2) review complaints of a recurring and multiborough or city-wide nature relating to services and programs, and make proposals to improve the city's response to such complaints; (3) receive individual complaints concerning city services and other administrative actions of city agencies; and (4) investigate and otherwise attempt to resolve such individual complaints except for those which (i) another city agency is required by law to adjudicate, (ii) may be resolved through a grievance mechanism established by collective bargaining agreement or contract, or (iii) involve allegations of conduct which may constitute a violation of criminal law or a conflict of interest. If the public advocate receives a complaint which is subject to a procedure described in items (i) or (ii) of this paragraph, the public advocate shall advise the complainant of the appropriate procedure for the resolution of such complaint. If the public advocate receives a complaint of the type described in item (iii) of this paragraph, the public advocate shall promptly refer the matter in accordance with subdivision k of this section.

g. The public advocate shall establish procedures for receiving and processing complaints, responding to complainants, conducting investigations, and reporting findings, and shall inform the public about such procedures. Upon an initial determination that a complaint may be valid, the public advocate shall refer it to the appropriate agency. If such agency does not resolve the complaint within a reasonable time, the public advocate may conduct an investigation and make specific recommendations to the agency for resolution of the complaint. If, within a reasonable time after the public advocate has completed an investigation and submitted recommendations to an agency, such agency has failed to respond in a satisfactory manner to the recommendations, the public advocate may issue a report to the council and the mayor. Such report shall describe the conclusions of the investigation and make such recommendations for administrative, legislative, or budgetary action, together with their fiscal implications, as the public advocate deems necessary to resolve the individual complaint or complaints or to address the underlying problems discovered in the investigation.

h. In addition to other duties and responsibilities, the public advocate may review the programs of city agencies. Such reviews shall include, but not be limited to, annual evaluations of: (1) the implementation of the requirements for coterminality of local services contained in all subdivisions of section twenty seven hundred four; (2) the effectiveness of the public information and service complaint programs of city agencies; and (3) the responsiveness of city agencies to individual and group requests for data or information regarding the agencies' structure, activities and operations. The public advocate shall submit any reports documenting or summarizing such reviews to the council, mayor and appropriate agency and shall include in such reports his or her recommendations for addressing the problems identified and the fiscal implications of such recommendations.

i. Except for those matters which involve conduct which may constitute a violation of criminal law or a conflict of interest, the public advocate may, on the request of a resident, taxpayer, community board,

council member or borough president, or on his or her own motion, inquire into any alleged failure of a city officer or agency to comply with any provision of the charter. If as a result of such inquiry, the public advocate concludes that there is any substantial failure to comply with any provision of the charter, he or she shall submit a preliminary report documenting the conclusions of the inquiry to the officer or officers and the head of each agency involved. Within a reasonable time after submitting such preliminary report, the public advocate shall issue a final report to the council, mayor, and agency documenting the conclusions of the inquiry.

j. The public advocate shall have timely access to those records and documents of city agencies which the public advocate deems necessary to complete the investigations, inquiries and reviews required by this section. If a city agency does not comply with the public advocate's request for such records and documents, the public advocate may request an appropriate committee of the council to require the production of such records and documents pursuant to section twenty-nine of the charter. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to those records and documents of city agencies for which a claim of privilege may properly be raised or which are prepared or maintained by the department of investigation for use in any investigation authorized by chapter thirty-four of the charter.

k. If the public advocate receives a complaint alleging conduct which may constitute a violation of criminal law or a conflict of interest, he or she shall promptly refer the complaint regarding criminal conduct to the department of investigation or, as applicable, to the appropriate prosecuting attorney or other law enforcement agency and shall refer the complaint regarding conflict of interest to the conflicts of interest board. If during the conduct of any investigation, inquiry, or review authorized by this section, the public advocate discovers that the matter involves conduct which may constitute a violation of criminal law or a conflict of interest, he or she shall take no further action but shall promptly refer the matter regarding criminal conduct to the department of investigation or, as applicable, to the appropriate prosecuting attorney or other law enforcement agency and shall promptly refer the matter regarding conflict of interest to the conflicts of interest board. Unless otherwise provided by law, all complaints received and any investigative file prepared or maintained by the public advocate regarding matters covered by this subdivision, shall be confidential.

l. Before making public any portion of any draft, preliminary or final report relating to the operations or activities of a city officer or agency, the public advocate shall send a copy of the draft report to any such officer, and to the head of any agency, discussed in such report and provide the officer and agency, in writing, with a reasonable deadline for their review and response. The public advocate shall include in any report, or portion thereof, which is made public a copy of all such officer and agency responses.

m. The public advocate may hold public hearings in the course of fulfilling the requirements of this section provided that a complete transcript of any such hearings shall be made available for public inspection free of charge within sixty days after the hearing. The public advocate shall also provide a copy of any requested pages of such transcript at a reasonable fee to cover copying and, if relevant, mailing costs.

n. Not later than the thirty-first day of October of each year, the public advocate shall present to the council a report on the activities of the office during the preceding fiscal year. The report shall include: (1) a statistical summary of the complaints received during such fiscal year, categorized by agency, type of complaint, agency response, mode of resolution, and such other factors as the public advocate deems appropriate; (2) an analysis of recurring complaints and the public advocate's recommendations for administrative, legislative or budgetary actions to resolve the underlying problems causing the complaints; (3) a summary of the findings and recommendations of the agency program reviews conducted during the fiscal year and a summary of the agency responses to such findings and recommendations; (4) a summary of the charter requirements which, in the opinion of the public advocate are not being implemented by the city agencies and officers subject to them, including a description of the nature and extent of the failure to comply and a summary of the responses of the agencies or officers to the public advocate's conclusions; and (5) a summary of improvements in charter compliance since the public advocate's last annual report. The public advocate shall include an assessment of the fiscal implications of any recommendations presented in this report.[20]

”
—New York Charter, Chapter 2, Section 24[22]

About the city

See also: New York, New York

New York City is a city in New York and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. As of 2010, its population was 8,175,133.

City government

See also: Mayor-council government

The city of New York uses a strong mayor and city council system. In this form of municipal government, the city council serves as the city's primary legislative body and the mayor serves as the city's chief executive. The mayor and city council each serve four-year terms.

Demographics

The following table displays demographic data provided by the United States Census Bureau.

Demographic Data for New York, New York
New York New York
Population 8,175,133 19,378,102
Land area (sq mi) 300 47,123
Race and ethnicity**
White 42.7% 63.7%
Black/African American 24.3% 15.7%
Asian 14.1% 8.4%
Native American 0.4% 0.4%
Pacific Islander 0.1% 0%
Other (single race) 14.7% 8.7%
Multiple 3.6% 3.1%
Hispanic/Latino 29.1% 19%
Education
High school graduation rate 82.2% 86.8%
College graduation rate 38.1% 36.6%
Income
Median household income $63,998 $68,486
Persons below poverty level 17.9% 14.1%
Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2010). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2014-2019).
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.


State profile

See also: New York and New York elections, 2019
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Partisan data

The information in this section was current as of May 7, 2019

Presidential voting pattern

Congressional delegation

State executives

State legislature

New York Party Control: 1992-2025
Nine years of Democratic trifectas  •  No Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Governor D D D R R R R R R R R R R R R D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D
Senate R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R D D R R R R R R R R D D D D D D D
Assembly D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D

New York quick stats
More New York coverage on Ballotpedia:


Demographic data for New York
 New YorkU.S.
Total population:19,747,183316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):47,1263,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:64.6%73.6%
Black/African American:15.6%12.6%
Asian:8%5.1%
Native American:0.4%0.8%
Pacific Islander:0%0.2%
Two or more:2.9%3%
Hispanic/Latino:18.4%17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:85.6%86.7%
College graduation rate:34.2%29.8%
Income
Median household income:$59,269$53,889
Persons below poverty level:18.5%11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in New York.
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.


Recent news

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms New York New York election. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

Public advocate election in New York, New York (2019) - Google News

See also

New York, New York New York Municipal government Other local coverage
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External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ League of Women Voters, "Election Information," accessed February 22, 2019
  2. ↑ AMNY, "Public advocate special election set for Feb. 26," December 31, 2019
  3. ↑ New York Times, "What You Need to Know About the Public Advocate Election," February 26, 2019
  4. ↑ Politico, "Williams easily wins public advocate's race, again," November 5, 2019
  5. ↑ New York City Campaign Finance Board", "Runoff Guidance Document," accessed November 5, 2019
  6. ↑ Gotham Gazette, "Public Advocate Special Election Ballot Finalized with 17 Candidates," January 30, 2019
  7. ↑ Gotham Gazette, "Everything You Need to Know About the Special Election for Public Advocate," January 4, 2019
  8. ↑ City & State NY, "Could a Republican win the New York City public advocate race?" November 26, 2018
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 The New York Times, "It’s New York’s Hottest Contest: The Race for Public Advocate (Really)," January 4, 2019
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 City & State NY, "What does the New York City public advocate actually do?" June 6, 2018
  11. ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "2019 Political Calendar," accessed March 27, 2019
  12. ↑ Gotham Gazette, "23 Candidates Submit Petitions to Get on February 26 Public Advocate Ballot," January 15, 2019
  13. ↑ AM New York, "More than 20 candidates running in public advocate special election," January 15, 2019
  14. ↑ City & State New York, "The endorsements for NYC public advocate candidates," January 13, 2019
  15. ↑ Facebook, "Nomiki Konst," January 29, 2019
  16. ↑ Gotham Gazette, "7 Candidates Qualify for Second Public Advocate Special Election Debate," February 16, 2019
  17. ↑ Gotham Gazette, "15 Minutes with Each of 14 Public Advocate Candidates," accessed February 25, 2019
  18. ↑ New York City Council, "Speaker and Acting Public Advocate of the City of New York," accessed January 14, 2019
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 City & State NY, "Make New York City’s public advocate a real job," November 13, 2018
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  21. ↑ Queens Tribune, "Time to Get Rid of the Public Advocate's Office," accessed February 14, 2019
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 American Legal Publishing Corporation, "New York Charter," accessed January 14, 2019
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