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Voting

Charters in the Municipal Library

In recent times, New Yorkers have become accustomed to the appointment of charter revision commissions on an almost annual basis. According to a 1962 article in the Municipal Reference Library Notes by then-librarian Eugene Bockman, this is not unusual. Between 1898 and 1934 there were at least ten charter-revision commissions that examined and proposed a variety of changes in how the city operated.

This month’s edition of Library Notes included a brief bit about the reprint of the oldest charter in the Library which was issued by English Lieutenant Governor Dongan in 1686.

Celebrate the anniversary of Women’s Suffrage by expanding access to the ballot in New York State

On November 6, 2017 New Yorkers will celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the State’s women winning the right to vote. On November 7, New Yorkers will vote in municipal elections. If prior elections are any guide, the turnout will be low. In 2013, 24% of registered City voters turned out at the polls, down from the 93% of eligible voters who went to the polls in 1953. Many surmise that New Yorkers don’t vote because the cumbersome registration process disenfranchises people, just as sexism disenfranchised women, a century ago.