Click here to see the updated Primary Election Political Calendar(PDF file)

The New York City Primary Elections have been re-scheduled for September 25th, 2001. This voter guide describes the Empire State Pride Agenda’s endorsements in the primary election. (Separate voter guides are being issued for upstate and Long Island races.) We urge you to vote for these candidates, a record number of whom are lesbian or gay, or who have demonstrated through their public statements and actions that they support an equal rights agenda for lesbians and gays and our community. We also urge you to actively support their efforts by volunteering your time and/or by making a financial contribution to their campaigns.

Because of term limits, the election this year marks the biggest turnover in New York City government in history. The Pride Agenda’s Board decided early on to place a priority on getting as many candidates as possible for the three citywide offices and for City Council to actively support a positive agenda for the gay community — and the response was truly remarkable. Virtually all of the major candidates for Mayor, Public Advocate and Comptroller and more than 100 of the 300-plus candidates running for City Council sought our endorsement.

The pro-gay positions of so many candidates is another demonstration of the importance of the gay and lesbian vote in New York City elections. In recent general elections, 9% of voters identified themselves in exit polls as lesbian or gay, and a large number of other voters are also presumed to be lesbian or gay or identify with our community. In the Democratic primary some city campaigns have said privately that their polls show the gay vote could make up some 15% or more of the total votes cast. These votes could be decisive for a candidate for citywide office, who can avoid a costly and unpredictable runoff election by winning 40% of the primary vote.

In sum, your vote can make a difference for the candidate of your choice!
Please remember to vote on September 25th. If you have any questions about the district in which you reside or where your polling place is, please contact the NYC Board of Elections at 212-VOTE-NYC or visit their website www.vote.nyc.ny.us. Another good source for detailed information about candidates and their districts is www.gothamgazette.com.

In this process, we have chosen to emphasize building support for pro-gay policies and positions among the next generation of elected city officials over trying to handicap multi-candidate political horse races. As indicated below, the responses and records of the candidates were consistently strong and supportive. It is likely, therefore, that no matter who wins these contests the lesbian and gay community can look forward to having a place at the table and a solid working relationship with City Hall.