The New York City Voter Guide is product of Abundance New York, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit building a political home for New Yorkers often left out of local politics.

Our community of over 4,000 includes residents from all five boroughs committed to a city with more than enough of everything we need to thrive. For too long, politics has prioritized the voices of a few—especially homeowners and car owners. We aim to center renters and transit riders in the decisions that shape our city.

Neither. We think that thinking about Democratic politics in New York as just about the left versus the center misses the point. We care most about the reasons New York is increasingly unaffordable, unpleasant, and unsafe—and where neither “side” of our politics has all the answers. 

The biggest problem in New York is the price of housing, with rents rising seven times faster than wages, a record-low vacancy rate, and record-high numbers of New Yorkers sleeping in shelters and on the street. New York needs more homes to address our critical supply shortage, ushering in a future where landlords compete for tenants. Pro-housing candidates can be found in the “progressive” and “moderate” parts of the party—as can opponents of new homes. More homes, and more housing options for street homeless New Yorkers, are critical not just for affordability but for helping those experiencing mental illness and addiction get off the streets and into treatment and housing.

Similarly, New York becomes more vibrant, safe, and sustainable when public transit and public space are prioritized over just cars—while the city becomes better for low-income folks who rely on subways, buses, and bikes. Investing in public transit, micro-mobility, resiliency, and renewable energy are all crucial for addressing climate change and weather emergencies that hit coastal and low-income communities the hardest. Like housing, care for transit, streets, and climate issues often defy left-right categorization. 

Finally, we think the government needs to work better—with more public and private sector capacity and more attention to outcomes over processes. We can’t stop needed changes just because a few vocal, empowered New Yorkers oppose it; neither can we solve all problems through additional funding without thinking about whether those dollars actually result in a better life for New Yorkers.

Conflicts between growth, change, and abundance versus stasis, stagnation, and scarcity operate on a different axis from conflicts happening between the left and center or right. That’s reflected in this Voter Guide, whose recommendations highlight the candidates and policies most likely to deliver solutions to the crises facing New York.

We focus on the races with the most competitiveness, the most contrast between candidates on the issues that matter most, and/or other high stakes for the future of the city. We assess viability via fundraising and institutional support. 

On policy, we compare: candidates’ records of bill sponsorships, votes, public statements, and other content against a rubric that assesses commitment to fighting for more housing and against homelessness, for better public transit and more people-first street space, for renewable energy and resiliency, and for healthier democracy and effective government delivery. 

We interview leaders from advocacy groups fighting for progress on these issues for a more nuanced view into candidate quality. Finally, where needed to further discern differences, we interview candidates themselves. 

If you want to learn more about local politics and policy, connect with the advocacy groups leading fights for progress on the issues, volunteer on campaigns for great candidates, or even run for office yourself someday, join the Abundance New York community.