EDITORIAL
MAKE YOUR CHOICE
After rolling out ranked-choice voting in
special elections in Queens and the Bronx
earlier this year, it will be used across New
York City in the upcoming June 22 primary.
In fact, it has already had an impact on how
candidates have campaigned. There have been
fewer negative attacks on opposing candidates, as
candidates fear possibly alienating another candidate’s
voter base.
It has also forced people to endorse not only
their first choices for an elected office but also
their second and sometimes even third choices for
the seat. The nature of ranked-choice voting has
shifted how campaigns operate.
The race for mayor, for example, is expected to
be extremely close — with no one candidate probably
winning more than 25 percent of the vote on
the first-choice ballot. The candidate who can garner
the most second-choice votes may come out on
top.
It’s a unique race just in terms of how candidates
are having to vie for second-choice votes as
well as first-place votes.
The reason ranked-choice voting was implemented
was so that voters have more of a voice in
who’s elected. Being able to rank candidates allows
for voters to have more representation. Voters can
still just vote for one candidate if they choose to.
This is also known as a bullet ballot.
In the end, ranked-choice voting is a win for
voters. Think of a normal election where a candidate
wins with, let’s say, 37 percent of the vote.
That leaves 63 percent of voters unsatisfied.
Ranked-choice voting helps remedy that issue,
giving voters more say, which is always a positive
— and giving a majority of New Yorkers representatives
they can call their own.
Regardless of how you vote in the June 22 primary,
if you’re eligible to participate in it, please
do so.
Voting is not a civic duty exercised once every
four years. The local elections count just as much
as any presidential election — and, in many respects,
are more impactful on our daily lives.
We’re electing a new slate of executives and
representatives who will be tasked with leading
the city’s post-COVID recovery, along with tackling
all other issues we take for granted — from
public safety to school curricula, from rezoning to
trash collection, from road repair to public transit,
and everything in between.
Make your choice, and make it count!
HOW TO REACH US
TIMESLEDGER | Q 12 NS.COM | JUNE 11-JUNE 17, 2021
FLY THE AMERICAN FLAG ON FLAG DAY
The American flag was originally adopted by
a resolution by the Continental Congress on
June 14, 1777. But Flag Day wasn’t officially
recognized until proposed by Congress and
signed into law by President Harry Truman in 1949.
The week of June 14 is designated as National Flag
Week, therefore I propose that the American Flag be
displayed outside homes, apartments, offices, businesses
and stores throughout the United States.
We do this to honor all that our great nation
represents, which is freedom, equality and justice
for all. These principles and ideas are embodied in
the American flag. We should do this also to show
honor and respect for all our brave men and women
who are serving our nation today and also all those
who have given their lives to preserve our cherished
freedoms.
Our American flag is the fabric of our country
and by flying the American flag we can be reminded
that we can prevail against all adversity. So please
fly the American flag on Monday, June 14, and remember
this, too: These colors of red, white and blue
don’t run. God bless America!
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.,
Bellerose
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Ranked-choice voting will be implemented in the June 22 primary elections. QNS fi le photo
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