Mr. Skurnick has pointed out that the proposed language in the charter text amendment concerning signature requirements in the draft report is different than what was described in the executive summary, which I read before writing the post below. Hopefully, the language in draft text, not in the executive summary, is what is intended to be done. The executive summary is confusing, and should be modified, if the intent is make the number of signatures required for independent candidates the same as for party primaries. The executive summary language is below.
“The proposal reduces from 7,500 to 3,750 the number of signatures necessary to gain access to a party primary for the Mayor, Comptroller, and Public Advocate; reduces from 4,000 to 2,000 the number of signatures necessary to gain access to a party primary for Borough Presidents; and reduces from 900 to 450 the number of signatures necessary for Council members to gain access to a party primary, or to 2,700 for access to the general election ballot for independent candidates.”
Do they mean that the number of signatures will be reduced to just 2,700 for a candidate for Mayor, but as many will be required for a candidate for City Council? How does that make sense, when the former is running to represent a city of 8 million while the latter is running to represent one little area?
Apparently not, according to Mr. Skurnick and text deep in the report.