Ranked Choice Voting (RCV)
What does RCV let voters do that regular voting doesn’t?
Rank candidates in order of preference
What is the name of NYC’s most infamous jail system?
Rikers Island
What’s one way voters can learn about where candidates stand on issues?
Their campaign websites or debates
What percentage of NYC voters showed up to the 2021 primary?
Less than 25%
How many candidates can NYC voters rank on their ballot?
Up to five
What reform aims to reduce jail time for people awaiting trial?
Bail reform
What government position is up for election in 2025 in NYC?
Mayor
How much can formerly incarcerated people lose in lifetime earnings?
About 500K
What happens if no candidate gets a majority of first-place votes?
The candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and their votes go to second choices
What percentage of people on Rikers haven’t been convicted yet?
About 85%
What’s one issue candidates disagree on related to justice?
Police funding or closing Rikers
What does NYC’s matching funds program do?
Gives public money to candidates with small donations to make elections fairer.
What’s one benefit of RCV?
Encourages positive campaigning or more voter choice
What are the 3 major problems people say Rikers has?
Inhumane conditions/overcrowding/violence
What’s one issue candidates disagree on related to justice?
Police funding or closing Rikers
What’s the goal of “Broken Windows” policing?
Crack down on minor crimes to prevent more bigger ones.
When was RCV first used in NYC local elections?
2021
What alternative to jail do reformers support more funding for?
Mental health services or community-based programs
What is the difference between a primary and general election?
Primary = party members choose their nominee General = voters choose between all nominees
Who are “The Stickup Kids” in Randol Contreras’s book?
Young men in the Bronx who rob drug dealers due to poverty and failed systems