This very important information is from Common Cause:

How does this change voting for New Yorkers?

Starting in 2021, instead of voting for just one candidate, New Yorkers would be able to rank their top 5 candidates from first to last choice on the ballot in all primary and special elections for Mayor, Comptroller, Public Advocate, Borough President and City Council. If voters still want to vote for just one candidate, they can.

A candidate who collects a majority of the vote, fifty percent plus one, wins. If no candidate receives over 50 percent of the first choice preferences, the candidate with the fewest first choice preferences is eliminated and voters who ranked that candidate first have their ballots instantly counted for their second choice preference. The process is repeated until there’s a final pair with a majority winner.

How does this change our local elections?

With Ranked Choice Voting:

• • Politicians have to compete everywhere and pay attention to every community.
  • Your vote has more impact and puts more power in the hands of New Yorkers.
  • Candidates win with a clear majority, greater than 50% of the vote.
  • Saves money by avoiding costly citywide runoffs.
  • Helps New Yorkers make sense of crowded elections.