Politics & Government

Mayoral Hopeful de Blasio Casts His Vote in Park Slope

Mayoral candidate and former Public Advocate in Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill casts vote.

Mayoral candidate and democrat Bill de Blasio cast his vote Tuesday morning at his polling place in Park Slope.

The candidate voted along with his wife Chirlane McCray and two children, Dante and Chiara. Though de Blasio would not divulge his votes, he did say that he voted along the democratic line.

"It's an extraordinary moment for me and my family personally," he said. "It's been a very, very long journey. To get to this morning at our polling site in our neighborhood is an incredible, emotional moment."

Along with voting on the democratic line, de Blasio also voiced his support for Proposal 1, the authorization of Casino Gaming.

"I think its necessary," he said. "I understand there are very strong views on both sides, but as I’ve said throughout, from a New York City perspective, this is going to bring very substantial aid for our schools and we need it. 

"Second, the fact is that a lot of people in New York State and NYC are participating in gambling in New Jersey, in Connecticut, and those jobs and that tax revenue is going there. I’d rather it stay here so I support it.

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According to a Board of Election representative, things were going smoothly at polling places in the early morning.

"There have been a few minor machine issues and there are some lines at certain places in Brooklyn, but things are going smoothly," he said.

Find out what's happening in Carroll Gardens-Cobble Hillwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

de Blasio also remarked on the voting process, which has brought some complaints from voters and often comes under criticism during elections.

"I have mixed feelings like I think most New Yorkers have," he said. "It's not the easiest process and I think we have to find ways to improve it. Having the ballot measures on the back doesn't encourage people to see them. I think we need a series of electoral reforms in New York State. 

He recommended same day registration, early voting and mail-in voting as reforms that would increase the amount of voting and participation. 

Polls close at 9 p.m. Click here to find your polling place and get all the information you need.

 



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