PUBLIC DOMAIN, your source for civic news providing readers with accurate and timely information from multiple cited sources to provide you with an unbiased and non-partisan collection of valuable resources that may positively impact your daily life and help transform you into a community champion!

WHY DID YOU RECEIVE THIS NEWSLETTER?

We are proud to share this issue of Public Domain with all Civic Engagement mailing lists and provide everyone with valuable information about the midterm elections. 
We hope these resources will help you make informed choices through Election Day.

General Election Contests

New York's 2026 midterm elections will feature a comprehensive ballot with 65 races spanning statewide, federal, and state legislative offices. Voters will decide crucial statewide positions including Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Comptroller, along with 22 U.S. House seats that help determine the balance of power in Congress.

Additionally, 36 state legislative races will shape the composition of the New York State Senate and Assembly for the next term. (source: American Election HQ)

2026 Ballot Proposals

Five proposals are included on the NYC ballot suggesting changes to the state and city's governing documents, State Constitution and City Charter.

NYC Votes has posted summaries of each proposal with information in support and opposition of the measure:

Speed Up Process for Granting a Revocable Consent to Use Public Spaces

Simplify process to use public space for uses such as ramps, planters, and cafes, by removing mandatory hearings and Council disapproval of sidewalk cafes, while maintaining community and Council input. 

Reduce City Contractor Paperwork: Require Regular Meetings of Procurement Policy Board

Reduce paperwork for City contractors by authorizing Procurement Policy Board to simplify contractor questionnaire. Require quarterly meetings of the Procurement Policy Board. Remove mandatory hearing for required client services report. 

Speed Up Street Safety Projects, Disposition of Unused City Property, Office Leasing

Simplify review of street safety projects to reduce construction timelines. Fast track disposition of unused City property with approval from City Planning Commission. Expedite leasing offices used for City workforce.

The NYC Civic Engagement Commission (CEC) provides language services to voters with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) during elections. The Voter Language Assistance (VLA) Program provides interpretation services at select poll sites in the following languages:

For the November General Election, VLA will provide interpretation services on the following dates:

• Early Voting: Friday, October 30 (Yiddish only), Saturday, October 31, and Sunday, November 1
• Election Day: Tuesday, November 3

To find out if your poll site will receive interpretation services in the next election To find out if your poll site will receive interpretation services in the next election, visit the Early Voting Services Map or Election Day Services Map. You can also find an accessible Early Voting Services List and Election Day Services List.

To find your poll site, visit Find My Poll Site and enter your address to find your voting location. Please note that your Early Voting location may be different from your Election Day location, and the location might have changed since you last voted.

courtesy: Civic Engagement Commission

The Associated Press, announced plans to provide fact-based, nonpartisan coverage of the candidates, campaigns and issues of the 2026 midterm elections, including:

• A produced election night livestream combining live shots from across the country with analysis, election updates, race calls and live coverage of vote counting, campaign watch parties, rallies and candidate speeches.
   
• Continuous live video coverage across the U.S. on Election Day, with cameras positioned around the country to cover key Senate, House and gubernatorial races, voting and vote counting. 
  
• An election night map, available in 19 languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, French (two dialects) and Chinese (three dialects).

Votebeat has an online Expert Desk for student and career journalists to verify the accuracy of public information from a network of nearly 100 election professionals.

Launched in 2024, the tool allows reporters to "check claims, understand lawsuits, find sources, pressure-test tips, and get quotes." The goal is to provide reporters to access election specialists and help ensure the accuracy of public.

Recently, Votebeat hosted a webinar, "How to Prepare for the Midterms" to help answer questions about the 2026 midterm elections and inform voters about the steps taken by of election officials to process voter registrations, mail absebtee ballots, and administer early voting.

QPL hosts city officials, municipal staff members, and special resource tables during the year that are open to the public.

Note: All activities are subject to change or last-minute cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances.

Queens Public Library presents a multi-part civic engagement workshop series to explore the characteristics and traits shared by community leaders and organizers that allow them to inspire and mobilize others towards definitive actions to improve the community.  

This series is designed to enhance your leadership, planning and communication skills; improve how you work with others; and transform you into a strong community advocate.

Leadership Essentials: What Type of Leader Are You?

What makes an effective leader?  Community leaders and organizers share similar characteristics and traits that allow them to inspire and mobilize others towards definitive actions to improve your community. 

This introductory workshop details effective leadership skills and best practices to strengthen how you work and collaborate with others (co-workers, peers, teammates, etc.). 

Topics include:

• What is the role of the community leader?
• What is your leadership style?
• What are the attributes of effective leaders?
• Why do people follow great leaders?
• What are the steps to mobilize others to action?

Changing Your Community Through Grassroots Mobilization

This introductory workshop teaches how to identify issues, community needs, and decision-making opportunities around which residents can organize. explore tools to assist with relationship-building and communication techniques, and determining concrete next steps for sustained action.

Topics include:

• Identify opportunities for civic engagement between elections.
• Apply practical grassroots mobilization strategies to move community members from participation to leadership.
• Develop a simple grassroots mobilization plan for their community.

Community Partnerships: Bringing Others to the Table

You Can't Do It Alone...Effective civic leaders and organizers share similar characteristics and traits that allow them to inspire and mobilize others towards definitive actions to improve their community.

This introductory workshop discusses how to motivate allies to join your efforts and take an active role in the planning and implementation of local actions and interventions.

Topics include:

• What are the Types of Community Partnerships?
• Why Don't Partnerships Work Without an Anchor?
• What are the 12 Community Sectors?
• What is the "Urban Dilemma"?
• How Do I Convince Other to Join the Cause?
• What Strategies (Actions) Always Lead to Change?

All workshops are open to all adults; with an emphasis on individuals -- local residents, professionals, and community advocates interested in making a difference.