Dear friend,

Early voting starts today, and I'm reaching out to remind you just how important it is to make your voice heard in this election.

The front of your ballot may seem simple this year, but don't forget to turn it over—there are critical propositions on the back!

Here's a breakdown of what you'll be voting on:

✅ YES on Ballot Proposal 1: NY Equal Rights Amendment

This proposal will amend the New York State Constitution to protect abortion rights and expand protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, age, and pregnancy. While New York has made progress on these issues, this amendment will safeguard our rights at a time when they are under attack across the country. 

That’s why I’m strongly urging a YES vote on Proposal 1.

If you want to get more involved, consider joining a Prop 1 canvass or phone bank near you! Together, we can spread the word and ensure that our rights are protected.

❌ NO on Ballot Proposals 2 through 6

These proposals are the result of Mayor Adams' rushed Charter Revision Commission. In a time of instability and controversy at City Hall, these proposals weaken checks and balances rather than improve accountability. We need more accountability at City Hall, not less.

Here's why I’m voting NO on each of them:

• NO on Proposals 2: This proposal expands the Department of Sanitation's authority to clean all city-owned properties and enforce waste disposal requirements. While it may seem practical, it shifts vendor enforcement duties to DSNY, overlapping with NYPD and Parks Enforcement Police, creating potential conflicts. These changes could displace DC37 employees and should have been addressed through inter-agency agreements rather than a permanent Charter amendment.

• NO on Proposals 3: This proposal would require fiscal analysis earlier in the legislative process and give the Mayor’s Office a more significant role in analyzing the cost of proposed laws. This adds unnecessary bureaucracy and allows the Mayor to delay critical legislation indefinitely by withholding required financial estimates and it weakens the City Council’s ability to pass laws that benefit New Yorkers in a timely manner.

• NO on Proposal 4: This proposal would mandate a 30-day waiting period before voting on laws related to public safety. While this sounds reasonable, it is clearly aimed at limiting City Council’s ability to pass laws like the recent bans on solitary confinement or increased NYPD transparency. The mayor vetoed both, and this proposal is designed to give more time for opposition to mobilize and stall progressive reforms.

• NO on Proposal 5: This proposal claims to improve transparency in the city’s capital planning process but actually does very little to advance the issue. It calls for adding more details to existing reports but fails to address broader issues in the city's infrastructure planning. 

• NO on Proposal 6: This bundle of three unrelated issues seeks to create a permanent Chief Business Diversity Officer, change how film permits are issued, and merge two archive boards. It’s a confusing mix, and while diversity in business is critical, the bundling these issues makes this proposal another power play by the administration.

Your voice matters in this election. Make a plan to vote early, and be sure to encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same.

Every vote counts in shaping the future of our city.

In solidarity,

Jessica Ramos

  Ramos For Mayor · 3763 83rd St # 112 · Jackson Heights, NY 11372-7146 · USA