Primary Day Eve

Okay, so it's crunch time for the Democratic mayoral candidates, with just hours until the polls open tomorrow and New Yorkers (hopefully) go and vote for a Democratic candidate. Former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer received an endorsement from Reverend Al Sharpton yesterday, which helps his frontrunner status, but many polls show the Congressman Anthony Weiner is right at Ferrer's heels - and that Ferrer still might not be able to avoid a runoff. While a lot of polls and surveys seem to indicate that Mayor Bloomberg is uncommonly popular for a Republican mayor in our blue city, the NY Times finds some voters that do want him out but, as ever, it comes down to who will actually come out and vote. The big questions are the middle-class (Miller or Weiner) and African-American population (Fields, Ferrer, or maybe even Weiner?). What Gothamist has been finding interesting in this final stretch is that we've been noticing the NY Post has been talking up Congressman Anthony Weiner's chances a lot, perhaps trying to sway voters to force Ferrer into a run-off. The latest stories about Gifford Miller seem to be more about his finance troubles, and C. Virginia Fields seems to have faded completely. Gothamist thinks it's too close to call whether or not there will be a primary. What do you think will happen tomorrow?

The Politicker has interesting thoughts on the polls, Sharpton eating weiner for breakfast, and more. The Daily News has a story on the mayoral longshots, including Christopher X. Brodeur. And read our interview with Gotham Gazette's Jonathan Mandell and Mark Berkey-Gerard who discuss the odd phenomenon of New Yorkers not voting as much as they should be and more.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on September 12, 2005 4:05 PM

Comments [rss]

Vincent La Marca

The turnout might be kept low by obstacles, such as ID requirements, racial/ethnic remarks and confusion about poll sites and affidavit ballots. The Asian - American Legal Defense Fund points this out in the 2004 Election Report.

I was asked for photo ID by an auxillary police officer at New Utrecht High School. How many more people in Bensonhurst, especially seniors and Asian-Americans, were so asked?

Blike Moomberg

I've informally asked a number of people about the primary, and the apathy is disgusting. Many people seemed resigned to Bloomberg, and with a sigh they say "he's doing a good job." I asked them to name who's running against him. Not one person could simply name all four major Democratic challengers: Ferrer, Weiner, Miller and Fields.

So these people who don't know anything about the candidates are still voting for Bloomberg. This is why this city continues to lose its character, let alone its affordability, year after year.

poll

A significant number of those who support the mayor admit to not really knowing the mayor's record, let alone the positions of his challengers.

Dave H.

Vote or die muthafucka, muthafucka vote or die

Rock the vote or else I'm gonna stick a knife through your eye

Democracy is founded on one simple rule

Get out there and vote or I will muthafuckin kill you

Yea

wow

hr. way to be crazy. raciscazy.

Fact: the NY Post is Republican. It wants the GOP to win every election. It has been talking up Weiner's chances exactly because, as you say, if Weiner does well, it'll force he and Ferrer into a Run-off.

The also-rans would endorse along racial lines and we wil have a circular firing squad like we had in 2001.

Bloomberg wins after a run-off. That's why the Post is blowing kisses at Weiner.

If voters want a mayor other than the guy who fluffed for George W. Bush at the RNC, they should vote for Ferrer. Tomorrow. Vote.

hr

please don't vote for the pervy uncle looking guy with the 20 years too late to be wearing a thick mustache. before you know it we'll be seeing everybody celebrating by bbq'ing on the side of the belt parkway.