People die for the right to vote. I think about that – the struggle and the effort and the fight to be counted equally – and worry about how many people today don’t vote. Some of it is a generational gap; kids are not taught civics in schools anymore. But a large part of it is the overwhelming feeling that our votes don’t count.

Our democracy is threatened when fewer and fewer people vote. In populist terminology: the 1% loves it when the 99% stays home (or, using the most recent runoff election as an example, when the 92% stays home). Those in power know how to play the election game and have no incentive to encourage more people — and more diverse viewpoints – to the polls. Of course, we also have the right not to participate. But, as my father used to say, “if you don’t vote, don’t complain.”

Some countries, like Australia, have mandatory voting. But they provide free media time for candidates and have more open and inclusive debates so voters can make an informed choice. They also usually have a system of Proportional Representation (PR) where the idea is to proportionately reflect the diverse will of the people (10% of the vote gets 10% of the seats, etc). This results in more viewpoints around the legislative table, which makes better public policy, in my opinion.

We used to have PR. It worked. Adam Clayton Powell was the first African-American elected to the NYC Council, using proportional representation. Third party candidates were elected as well, until Tammany Hall felt so threatened they fought to overturn it, leaving us this one-party town legacy that ignores the reality that nearly 1 in 3 of voters in NYC today are not registered Democrats.

So what else can we do? We can reform the patronage-based Board of Elections, prioritize poll-worker recruitment and training, and ensure that as many poll sites as possible are kept open and accessible. We need to implement Instant Runoff Voting, not just for citywide runoffs (which will save $13-$15 million) but for all elections.

Green Party Smells Victory Now

Choice is at the heart of turnout. Contested races drive people to the polls. Term limits gave us open seats and the opportunity for new candidates to successfully run for office, bringing forward new ideas and new visions. But getting on the ballot can be a blood sport in NYC, with campaigns (and their lawyers) challenging petitions with the goal of knocking candidates off the ballot, limiting voter choice. Signature requirements for independent nominations often exceed those of ballot-qualified parties.

Our campaign finance system is good in NYC; it provides matching funds to candidates who qualify, helping community candidates compete against those with wealthy friends and supporters. Unfortunately, independent expenditure committees can still dump millions into campaigns supporting or opposing candidates. However, we can (and should) introduce laws requiring that all election material have to disclose who is paying for them.

Another major campaign finance reform fight, for clean money elections, is at the State level – as is yet another proven reform: same-day voter registration. But the NYC Council can enfranchise the 1.3 million legal resident and taxpaying New Yorkers who are currently denied the right to vote in local elections. Here in Queens, we live in the most diverse place in the entire country. Intro 410 would allow our legal immigrants to vote, no matter where they are on their path to citizenship.

These are just some of the solutions. Not voting is NOT the answer. That is what those in power – those who benefit by the current rules – want: fewer people exercising their right to vote, to a government “of the people, for the people, by the people.”

Your vote is your voice. Don’t be silenced. Vote and be counted.