Queens Voters Back $1.24 Billion in Charter Changes

Voters in Queens County approved five ballot proposals on Tuesday with majorities ranging from 61 percent to 72 percent. The most popular measure, Proposal 5, received 1,243,219 affirmative votes. That action directs the city to set specific contribution targets for its rainy day fund.

The other four proposals focus on administrative efficiency and land use. Proposal 4, which simplifies building permitting and moves waterfront approvals to the Department of Buildings, drew 1,155,304 yes votes. Proposal 3, covering street safety projects and unused city property, secured 1,133,761 votes. Proposal 1, aimed at speeding up the process for revocable consent to use public space, passed with 1,099,934 votes. Proposal 2, which reduces contractor paperwork and mandates regular meetings for the Procurement Policy Board, received 1,061,799 votes.

These results reflect more than 93 percent of scanners reporting as of 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 4. The New York State Board of Elections also released unofficial statewide figures. More than 92 percent of election districts had reported at the same time.

Democratic incumbents retained control of all contested state and federal offices in Queens. In the 5th Congressional District, Gregory W. Meeks received 129,931 votes, or 80.49 percent of the total. In the 7th District, Claire Valdez won with 135,179 votes, representing 83.33 percent of the count.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez held her seat in the 14th District with 107,129 votes, or 78.22 percent. Thomas R. Suozzi won the 3rd District with 30,732 votes, or 60.02 percent. Grace Meng retained the 6th District with 92,474 votes, or 68.63 percent.

Statewide, Governor Kathy C. Hochul led with 3,118,373 votes, or 59.20 percent. State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli received 3,259,244 votes, or 62.85 percent. Attorney General Letitia A. James won with 3,069,315 votes, or 58.92 percent.

Several state senate and assembly races in Queens featured unopposed candidates. Julia Salazar won the 18th Senate District with 99.14 percent of the vote. Roxanne J. Persaud won the 19th Senate District with 99.62 percent. Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas won the 13th Senate District with 35,582 votes, or 78.93 percent. In the assembly, David I. Weprin won the 24th District with 18,365 votes, or 75.67 percent, while Edward C. Braunstein won the 26th District with 21,391 votes, or 61.35 percent.