Dear John,
Communications Blackout Period
Please note: We are now in the formal "communications blackout" period, which is less than 90 days before the June 2025 primary election. To comply with election law, we are limited in the content we can share via email until Election Day. We will continue to send out a weekly newsletter to keep our community informed. However, we will adjust the content in our newsletters to ensure compliance with election regulations. Be sure to follow us on social media (@CMShahanaHanif on Instagram, X, BlueSky, and Facebook) for regular updates and reminders. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.
It’s my favorite time of year: Participatory Budgeting Vote Week!
From Saturday, March 29 to Sunday, April 6, New Yorkers have the chance to vote on how to allocate millions of dollars in government funding for local projects through Participatory Budgeting (PB).
PB is a powerful way for everyday people to engage with their government and determine how public funds are spent. Ideas for projects were collected from the community last fall and developed into final proposals by volunteer delegates in collaboration with city agencies and nonprofits. In our district, we’ve dedicated $1.5 million in capital funds and $50,000 in expense funds for the winning projects.
Now, it's your turn to vote on which projects you want to see funded! Anyone aged 11 and up who lives in or has a special connection (goes to school, works, etc.) to City Council District 39 can vote in Participatory Budgeting, regardless of citizenship status. Spread the word to your family, friends, and neighbors!
How Can I Vote?
You can vote online until 11:59 PM Sunday, April 6, or vote in person at one of our polling sites across the district. We also invite you to join us for the PB Expo on Sunday, April 6, from 2 PM - 4 PM at Powerhouse Arts (322 3rd Avenue, 11215) to learn about the projects, enjoy arts and crafts activities for kids, and vote! Please note that the mobile voting was glitching yesterday, but we have alerted the Council IT team. Desktop view is best for voting and we encourage mobile users to use a Chrome browser when voting. If you had trouble voting yesterday or anytime this week please email [email protected] to get an access code.
Want to learn more about the projects on the ballot? Check out this Zine created by our PB Delegates!
At a time when trust in government is declining and federal funding for democracy initiatives is at risk, PB is grassroots democracy in action. Instead of budget decisions being made behind closed doors, PB empowers ordinary community members to play a role in shaping our neighborhoods. It’s also an important way for us to understand the community’s priorities. Don’t miss your chance to shape the future of our district—make sure to vote in Participatory Budgeting this week!
