PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Orlando Ovalles, Northeast Director of Civic Engagement at NALEO Educational Fund
3:16:22
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4 min
Orlando Ovalles from NALEO Educational Fund provided testimony urging the New York City Council to pass three measures to enhance Latino and underrepresented groups' participation in the electoral process. He emphasized the importance of increasing voter turnout in municipal elections and supported Resolution 0189 to move city elections to even-numbered years.
- Advocated for Introduction 441 to improve young New Yorkers' access to voter registration materials
- Supported Resolution 0322 to provide language assistance in certain Asian Indian languages for Queens Board of Elections
- Explained how consolidating municipal elections with gubernatorial elections could increase voter turnout and strengthen democracy
Orlando Ovalles
3:16:22
Good afternoon.
3:16:25
Good afternoon.
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I'm Orlando Obayes.
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Sorry about that.
3:16:29
Good afternoon, everyone.
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I'm Orlando Obayes with NALEO Educational Fund, serving as northeast director of civic engagement.
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Chair wrestler and members of the committee, council members, thank you for the opportunity to provide this testimony on behalf of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, NALEO Educational Fund.
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We urge the city council to pass 3 measures that will greatly enhance the participation of Latinos and other underrepresented groups in New York City's electoral process.
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Introduction 441, which will improve young New Yorkers' access to water registration materials.
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Resolution 0322, which will promote the passage of legislation requiring Queen's Board of Elections to provide language assistance in certain Asian Indian languages, and resolution 0189, which will promote the enactment of a measure to consolidate your city's municipal elections with the states even year gobern gubernatorial elections.
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We also offer recommendations on how the New York State and municipal agencies must work closely with stakeholders to ensure the sound implementation of the consolidation of elections and vision in Resolution 0189.
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NALEO Educational Fund is the leading non for profit, nonpartisan organization that facilitates full Latino participation in the American political process.
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From citizenship to public service, our constituency encompasses the more than 7,000 Latino elected and appointed officials nationwide, among which more than 90 are from New York City.
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And it includes Republicans, Democrats, and Independents.
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For several decades, NALEO Educational Fund has been at the forefront of efforts to increase Latino civic engagement and to empower the Latino community to participate in the American democratic process.
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NALEO Educational Fund, New York City office, which was established nearly 30 years ago, has been a leader in conducting robust, nonpartisan efforts to mobilize Latinos to raise their vote and cast ballots to assist eligible lawful permanent residents with US citizenship process, and to encourage Latinos to participate in the decennial census.
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You have our our recommendations on introduction 441, resolution 0322, and in the, in in the testimony that you have copies for, in the full full version of the testimony.
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This is just a summary of the testimony.
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And now I want to speak a little bit about resolution 0189.
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For many decades, New York City has has seen persistently low voter turnout in municipal elections.
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Despite the critical voting reforms enacted by the New York State Legislature, including early voting, automatic and online voter registration, shortening voter registration deadlines, and improving absentee voting.
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This measure have yet to translate into higher turnout rates in municipal elections, especially for Latinos and other underrepresented groups.
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This situation has serious implications for our city's governance and policy making since low voter turnout indicates that many New Yorkers have not been able to make their voice heard in the state's democracy or elect candidates that are accountable to their concerns.
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Given the available data on voter turnout rates in New York state, academic research, as well as anecdotal evidence from US jurisdictions who have changed their local election days, we believe that moving New York City's elections to even number years to coincide with governorial elections can be effective can be an effective strategy to help ensure higher turnout for Latinos and on the other underrepresented groups.
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Ultimately, this will result in a more vibrant democracy and a more responsive government for all New Yorkers.
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If properly implemented, changing the timing of local elections is an as is an approach that can strengthen New York City's democracy by increasing the voter turnout rate of Latino voters and other under underrepresented groups, as well as ensuring that public officials are accountable to a more representative electorate.
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For these reasons, we urge the New York City Council to support resolution 0189.
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Thank you for your attention to these important matters.
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Thank you, chair Ressler and the rest of the counts all the council members on this committee.
