Copyright New York Daily News
Democratic mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani voted yes Tuesday on a set of controversial housing development-related ballot questions after refusing for weeks to take a position on the three questions. As he went in to cast his ballot Tuesday morning at Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, Mamdani said he voted yes because of the “urgent” need to build more housing across the city. Some of his key allies, including City Comptroller Brad Lander and Gov. Hochul, all previously voiced support for the measures, arguing they would be critical tools to address the city’s housing crisis. But other prominent Mamdani supporters, including many Democratic members of the City Council, have been vehemently opposed to the questions, arguing they give the mayor too much power. That dynamic left Mamdani in a fraught position. He finally revealed his plan to vote yes on all three housing development questions Tuesday morning. “We urgently need to more housing to be built across the five boroughs, and we also need to ensure that that housing is creating high quality union jobs,” Mamdani told the Daily News as he walked into vote with his wife, artist Rama Duwaji. “And I also understand that there are City Council members in opposition to these measures, and their oppositions is driven by commitment to their communities and a deep concern about investment in those communities, and I share the commitment to that investment and I look forward to working with them on delivering that.” Mamdani’s top opponent in the mayoral race, independent Andrew Cuomo, has previously said he supports all the housing-related questions. Republican mayoral nominee Curtis Sliwa, who has consistently polled behind both Cuomo and Mamdani, opposed all the questions. Together, the housing proposals could significantly pare down the power of City Council members, who currently exercise de facto veto power over development in their districts due to the council’s longstanding practice of member deference. Critics argue that works as a deterrent to housing growth. Ballot proposals two, three and four would create a “fast track” for affordable housing, shorten the approvals process for some developments and establish an affordable housing appeals board that’d give the mayor a pathway to override Council denial of some developments. Proponents of the questions — which were advanced by outgoing Mayor Adams — argue the measures would allow badly-needed housing to be constructed more quickly in the city as it struggles with a dire housing shortage and skyrocketing rents. Opponents have been concerned about the plans being a mayoral power grab. Asked about the No. 4 question after voting, Mamdani promised to use that power responsibly if elected. “That is a power, like all mayoral power, that must be used to deliver for New Yorkers, and I am looking forward to working alongside the City Council in delivering the kind of investments that so often communities have been denied, and to finally ensure that we understand the strength of this city be measured by the neighborhoods furthest from City Hall, not by the ones just closest around you,” he said. Mamdani also said he voted against ballot question 6, which could shift local city elections to even-numbered years. “I found the arguments in opposition to number six to be quite compelling, especially those making the case for New Yorkers to have a distinct opportunity to weigh their future,” the candidate said. Mamdani said he also voted yes on the first ballot prop, on the question of allowing an Olympic sports complex on state forest preserve land upstate, and he checked yes on a measure that would digitize the city’s maps. Asked which candidate he voted for in the mayoral race, Mamdani laughed and replied he marked his ballot for the “best candidate in the race.” Polls are open until 9 p.m. Tuesday.
