All Three NYC Racial-Equity Ballot Measures Pass with Overwhelming Support

New York City voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly backed three ballot measures designed to mandate the creation of a massive new racial-equity bureaucracy in the city.

The three initiatives were proposed by leaders of the NYC Racial Justice Commission, who were appointed last year by then-mayor Bill de Blasio. The initiatives are intended to “put equity at the heart of our government” and to broadly and “fundamentally change the NYC Charter,” according to a commission report released in December.

The first proposal, which would add a preamble to the city charter that includes a statement of values and acknowledges a history of “grave injustices and atrocities” in the city and in the country, passed with 72.3 percent of the vote {snip} That preamble will now include an aspirational vision of a “just and equitable city for all,” and a declaration that “diversity is our strength.”

The second proposal passed with 69.8 percent of the vote, according to election data. It mandates that the city charter be amended to establish an Office of Racial Equity that would be led by a chief equity officer, establish a racial-equity commission to identify priorities, and require that every city agency produce a racial-equity plan every two years. {snip}

The third proposal, which will require the city to establish a new “true cost of living” measure to “provide a clearer picture of the racial wealth gap,” passed with 81 percent of the vote. {snip}

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