Originally Published: August 13, 2013
Citizens Union Foundation and Gotham Gazette announce GothamVotes2013
Citizens Union Foundation today launches a new city elections microsite: GothamVotes2013, a project of Gotham Gazette. Continuing Gotham Gazette’s 14-year long tradition of using web technology to promote civic engagement, GothamVotes2013 offers New Yorkers a comprehensive nonpartisan guide to this year’s elections and the nuts and bolts of voting.
In addition to a thorough catalog of all citywide and City Council candidates running this year, the website — which can be viewed on many mobile devices including smartphones — brings together sources from across the Internet on voter registration, polling locations and curated coverage of the election from Gotham Gazette and other media sources. Additionally, GothamVotes2013, in partnership with Who’s on The Ballot?, provides up to date information about who is running in the 65 local election contests.
“GothamVotes2013 empowers New Yorkers to be informed and active voters,” said Dick Dadey, Executive Director of Citizens Union Foundation. “The low rate of voter turnout during the last City election is unacceptable for a functioning democracy—that’s why we’re working to ensure New Yorkers have everything they need to be informed and engaged civic participants this year with GothamVotes2013.”
“GothamVotes2013 brings together our award-winning journalism and resources to help voters make informed decisions in the most important local election in 12 years,” said Cristian Salazar, Executive Editor of Gotham Gazette. “With fewer than 30 days to go before the primary, now is the time to learn about your candidates and the issues.”
GothamVotes2013 will also showcase interviews with the top candidates for mayor and publish issue briefs over the next couple of weeks leading up to the election. The website also connects voters to the ongoing conversation on social media about the candidates and maintains a calendar of election-related events, offering New Yorkers opportunities to better know the candidates seeking their votes.
Gotham Gazette, published by Citizens Union Foundation, is a pioneering nonpartisan public interest journalism platform covering city and state government, policy and local elections.
Citizens Union Foundation is a nonpartisan good government group dedicated to making democracy work for all New Yorkers. The organization serves as a civic watchdog, combating corruption and fighting for political reform.