Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972
The second bill before me, Introductory 640-A, was introduced by City Council Speaker Peter F. Vallone, Council Members Malave-Dilan, Henry, Pagan, and nine of their colleagues. The bill would amend Chapter 7 of Title 3 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York by adding a new section in relation to mandatory debates.
Intro. 640-A would mandate debates for certain candidates for citywide offices by making participation in such debates an obligation which must be met in order to collect public funds as part of the City's campaign finance program. The bill would require that in any year in which a primary, runoff primary, general or special election is to be held, any candidate participating in the campaign finance program who is seeking election to a citywide office participate in two pre-election debates for each election that the candidate is on the ballot. However, in order to participate in the second debate of the general election, a candidate must be deemed a leading contender as specified in the written application submitted by the debate sponsor.
Organizations wishing to sponsor an election debate must submit written applications to the Campaign Finance Board which would select debate sponsors based on objective criteria. Prior to the selection of a sponsor, the Board shall provide for the receipt of comments from interested parties regarding the qualifications of potential sponsors, and shall give considerable weight to comments submitted by candidates.
In the case of the second general election debate, if the sponsor determines that a non-participating candidate is a leading contender based on the objective criteria, the sponsor may invite that candidate to participate in the debate. In the event that the non-participating candidate does not accept the invitation or does not appear, the debate will go forward as scheduled with the previously selected candidates. In addition, for second general election debates, sponsors must provide an alternative non-partisan voter education program regarding participating candidates not deemed leading contenders.
Overall, I believe this bill accomplishes a great deal toward ensuring the public's access to its candidates for citywide elected office. I have always supported the concept of mandatory debates and I think Intro. 640-A will ensure that campaigns for citywide elected office include a discussion of the important issues facing our City, and provide voters with the information they need to make informed choices.
I would like to thank Speaker Vallone and Mary Pinkett, Chair of the Committee on Government Operations, for working so hard on this legislation.
I will first turn to the sponsors of the bill and then to any other elected official wishing to speak.
I will now turn to the general audience.
Is there anyone who wants to speak in opposition to this bill?
Is there anyone who wishes to speak in support?
There being nobody else who wishes to speak, and for the reasons stated earlier I will now sign the bill.