New Yorkers Approve All Five Mamdani Ballot Proposals to Speed City Approvals

New York City voters approved all five ballot proposals on Tuesday evening, giving Mayor Zohran Mamdani a boost in his first year in office. Each proposal received at least 61 percent of the vote with nearly all precincts reporting.

The measures, developed by Mamdani’s Commission on Government Efficiency over the summer, amend the City Charter. They cover public space use, city contracting, street safety, building permitting and a rainy day fund, and aim to cut red tape for city projects.

“Tonight, New Yorkers voted for a government that moves as fast as they do.”

Question 1 passed with 63.2 percent of the vote and streamlines approvals for private uses of public space, including outdoor dining, accessibility ramps and planters. It eliminates mandatory public hearings for revocable consents and removes the City Council’s authority to disapprove individual sidewalk cafe applications. The commission estimates approval times for outdoor dining could drop from as long as eight months to about two months.

Question 2 passed with 61.6 percent of the vote and reduces paperwork for businesses and nonprofits seeking city contracts. It allows the Procurement Policy Board to simplify contractor questionnaires based on contract size, industry and vendor status, and requires the board to meet at least quarterly.

City voters cast at least 1.9 million ballots across the five boroughs, according to the city Board of Elections. Staten Island was the only borough to vote down all five proposals.

Supporters included Citizens Union and the Citizens Budget Commission, while Common Cause New York opposed Question 1, warning that faster approvals should not come at the expense of public participation and legislative oversight. Changes to Question 1 would take effect March 1, 2027, and would not apply to previously submitted applications.