Particle.news
Download on the App Store
17 ARTICLES
·
5h ago

Early Voting Surges as New York City Housing Ballot Fight Intensifies

Proposals 2–4 would shorten reviews by moving certain land‑use approvals off the City Council.

Image
The Empire State Building casts a shadow on buildings on the east side of midtown Manhattan as seen from the 86th floor observation deck as the sun sets on September 18, 2025, in New York City.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has been unable to pass statewide housing reform.
San Francisco and other California cities are in the grips of a housing affordability crisis.

Overview

  • Nearly 300,000 New Yorkers had cast early ballots by Tuesday night, with turnout skewing older and heavily Democratic, according to Board of Elections tallies and analyses.
  • Proposal 2 would fast‑track city‑financed affordable housing and projects in the 12 districts that have built the least housing by shifting final approval to mayor‑appointed bodies on tighter timelines.
  • Proposal 3 would create a condensed review for modest projects, including some up to 45 feet tall or with about 30% more residential capacity, with final decisions by the City Planning Commission.
  • A 100‑member clergy group joined a pro‑housing coalition that includes Brad Lander, Mark Levine and Antonio Reynoso in urging Yes votes on Proposals 2–5, while the City Council under Speaker Adrienne Adams is campaigning against 2–4 and says the language is misleading.
  • Andrew Cuomo backs the housing proposals, Curtis Sliwa opposes them, and Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani has not taken a position as early voting continues.