CITY OF NEW YORK VOTER ASSISTANCE COMMISSION DEAR FELLOW NEW YORKER, The New York City Voter Assistance Commission is pleased to present the 2010 VAC Guide to New York City Elected Officials. The guide serves as a voter resource and important civic tool for communities throughout the city. It is our hope that you will use this guide to be in contact with your elected officials to build better neighborhoods, strengthen our electoral process and invest in New York’s future. This fall New Yorkers will vote for all state and federal elected offices using the new poll site voting system. As we prepare for these important elections VAC invites you to participate in our annual programs: Voter Awareness Month You can participate in this citywide campaign to increase and strengthen voter and civic education and participation by hosting a community voter drive or educational workshop. Youth Poet Laureate program VAC has launched the nation’s first Youth Poet Laureate program. The program encourages youth to express their civic voice through spoken word and community service increasing their participation in the democratic process and empowerment of youth to effect positive change in their communities. Students ages 16-19 are eligible to compete. The guide is now available in print and on web. For additional copies of the VAC Guide to Your Elected Officials or to obtain more information about the nonpartisan 2010 Voter Awareness Month and Youth Poet Laureate program or other VAC services contact us at (212)788-8384 or visit the VAC website at www.nyc.gov/voter. Thank you for keeping civic participation alive in our communities. Sincerely, Dr. Jeffrey F. Kraus Onida Coward Mayers Chairman Executive Director 100 Gold Street • 2nd Floor • New York NY 10038-1605 • Tel: (212) 788-8384 • Fax: (212) 788-3298 • www.nyc.gov/voter WHO CAN VOTE? YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE, IF YOU: c are a United States citizen (including persons born in Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands); c are at least 18 years of age on Election Day; c are not serving a prison or jail sentence for a felony conviction or are on parole for a felony conviction; c do not claim the right to vote elsewhere (outside the City of New York); c have not been adjudged mentally incompetent by a court; c live at your present address at least 30 days before an election; and c are registered to Vote! 2010 – Election Dates Primary Election – Tuesday, September 14 – Polls are open from 6:00 a.m – 9:00 p.m. General Election – Tuesday, November 2 – Polls are open from 6:00 a.m – 9:00 p.m. Last day to postmark or personally deliver voter registration forms to the NYC Board of Elections Main Office at 32 Broadway, 7th Floor, NYC 10004 or in your Borough local office (see below) to vote in the September Primary Election is August 20, 2010. Last day to postmark or personally deliver voter registration forms to the NYC Board of Elections Main Office at 32 Broadway, 7th Floor, NYC 10004, or your Borough local office (see below) to vote in the November General Election is October 8, 2010. OFFICES THAT WILL BE DECIDED IN THE 2010 ELECTIONS: ¡ US Senators ¡ All Members – New York State Senators ¡ Governor & Lieutenant Governor – NYS ¡ All Members – New York State Assembly ¡ All Members – House of Representatives Five Borough Local Offices: MANHATTAN OFFICE BROOKLYN OFFICE QUEENS OFFICE 200 Varick Street, 10th Floor 345 Adams Street, 4th Floor 126-06 Queens Boulevard New York, NY 10014 Brooklyn, NY 11220 Kew Gardens, NY 11415 1-212-886-2100 1-718-797-8800 1-718-730-6730 BRONX OFFICE GENERAL OFFICE STATEN ISLAND OFFICE 1780 Grand Concourse, 5th Floor 32 Broadway, 7th Floor 1 Edgewater Plaza, 4th Floor Bronx, NY 10457 New York, NY 10004 Staten Island, NY 10305 1-718-299-9017 1-212-868-3692 1-718-876-0079 3 RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS CITY OFFICIALS Mayor The Mayor is the chief executive officer of the City of New York. The Mayor appoints most heads of City agencies, boards and commissions, at times pursuant to the advice and consent of the City Council. The Mayor is responsible for the effectiveness and integrity of City government operations, proposes the City budget, and has the power to approve or veto all bills proposed by the City Council. The Mayor is elected every four years. City Comptroller The City Comptroller is the chief fiscal officer of the City of New York. The City Comptroller audits City agencies, advises the Mayor and the City Council of the financial condition of the City, and may make recommendations, comments, and criticisms concerning the operations, fiscal policies and financial transactions of the City. The City Comptroller is elected every four years in the same election as the Mayor. Public Advocate The Public Advocate monitors the operation of the public information and service complaint programs of City agencies. The Public Advocate receives and responds to complaints of a recurring and multi-borough or City- wide nature. The Public Advocate may also hold public hearings on any of the matters within his or her jurisdiction and duties. The Public Advocate participates in the discussions of the City Council but is not a voting member. The Public Advocate is elected every four years in the same election as the Mayor. Borough President The Borough Presidents have the power to work with the Mayor and other City officials in the interest of people of the boroughs. Generally, the Borough Presidents appoint members of the community boards and work to promote the long-term welfare of the boroughs. To be eligible to serve as Borough President, an individual must be a resident of the borough for which he or she is elected. The Borough President is elected every four years in the same election as the Mayor. City Council Member The City Council is the legislative branch of New York City. Generally, the Council has the power to propose and adopt local laws, investigate matters related to the property, affairs, and government of the City, and approve the City budget. There are 51 members of the City Council. City Council members are elected every four years. District Attorney The five District Attorneys in the City of New York protect the public by investigating and prosecuting criminal conduct in the counties in which they hold office. They are elected for four years terms. VAC Guide To Your Elected Officials CITY OFFICIALS – 2010 5 RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS STATE OFFICIALS Governor The Governor is the chief executive of the State of New York. The Governor may approve or veto laws, convene the legislature on extraordinary occasions, and grant reprieves, commutations and pardons after conviction. The Governor is elected every four years. Lieutenant Governor The Lieutenant Governor is elected in the same election as the Governor. The Lieutenant Governor is first in line of succession to the Governor. The Lieutenant Governor is also the President of the Senate, but has a casting vote only. Attorney General The Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of New York and is the head of the Law Department. The Attorney General prosecutes and defends all legal actions and proceedings in which the state is interested. The Attorney General is elected every four years in the same election as the Governor. State Comptroller The State Comptroller is the head of the Department of Audit and Control of the State of New York. The State Comptroller is required to audit payments made by the State and all official accounts of the State. The State Comptroller is elected at the same time as the governor and holds office for four years. State Senate The State Senate is one of the two houses of the State Legislature. The State Senate proposes and passes bills, which, if also passed by the State Assembly, are presented to the Governor for approval. At this time there are 62 State Senators. State Senators must be residents of the senate districts which they are chosen to represent for at least twelve months at the time of election, and are elected every two years. State Assembly The State Assembly is one of the two houses of the New York State legislature. The State Assembly proposes and passes bills, which, if also passed by the State Senate, are presented to the Governor for approval. The State Constitution provides for 150 Assembly Members. Assembly Members must be residents of the assembly districts from which they are chosen to represent for at least twelve months at the time of election, and are elected every two years. VAC Guide To Your Elected Officials STATE OFFICIALS – 2010 6 RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS FEDERAL OFFICIALS President The President is the chief executive of the United States and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. With the approval of the Senate, the President appoints federal judges, cabinet members, and other public officials, except as otherwise provided by law. The President is elected every four years, and may serve no more than two terms. Vice President The Vice President is elected together with the President. The Vice President is first in line of succession to the President. The Vice President is also the President of the Senate, but may only cast a vote to break a tie. U.S. Representative The House of Representatives is one of the two houses that compose the U.S. Congress, with the power to enact laws, impeach officials, and determine budget priorities.