Photo by David Greene
The New York City Board of Elections (BOE) published its preliminary report of the 2021 Primary Elections unofficial, RCV count tabulation for Bronx borough president and the various City Council races late on Friday night, July 2.
The report excludes absentee ballots, and the BOE previously stressed that this report was “a preliminary report and that another report would be released on July 6.” As previously reported, updated numbers for the absentee ballots issued and returned as of June 30 for these races was already released by the BOE on that date. These numbers are attached, once again, as screen shots further below.
In the Bronx borough president’s race and all Bronx City Council District races, the top candidates on Election Night all retained their leads. District 15 incumbent councilman, Oswald Feliz, emerged with 65.5 percent (3,932 votes) of the vote share after Round 7 (up from 39.43 percent on Election Night).
Feliz’s nearest challenger, Ischia Bravo has 34.5 percent of the vote share (2,070 votes) after the tabulation. According to the BOE, there were 945 returned absentee ballots as of June 30 in this race, and the number of inactive votes (early and Election Day votes with no choices left) for this race was 1,363, making it, seemingly, impossible for Bravo to overtake Feliz at this point.
Lilithe Lozano, Kenny Agosto and Latchmi Gopal were “eliminated” after Round 2 with 150, 157 and 160 votes respectively. Gopal had formally suspended her campaign on May 30, while Agosto had formally suspended his on May 28. Troy Blackwell was eliminated after Round 3 with 770 votes. Bernadette Ferrara was “eliminated” after Round 4 with 1,067 votes. John Sanchez was “eliminated” after Round 6 with 1,327 votes.
Unlike on Election Night, the percentage of scanners reported for this race was omitted from the data published by the BOE on their website on Friday.
Reacting to the news, Feliz wrote on social media, “We won our reelection with a crushing 65.5% of the vote! These numbers are for those who erroneously thought I was a vulnerable candidate, simply because I didn’t have all the institutional support! (Elections are decided by People, not institutions!) This W is also for disadvantaged Bronxites who have been asking for a fighter who can deliver for them!” He added, “We worked hard to get here, and will fight equally hard to deliver for the people I proudly represent! Thank you, CD15!”
Source: New York City Board of Elections
In District 11, incumbent councilman, Eric Dinowitz, retained his lead with 59.2 percent of the vote share (7,662 votes) after 5 rounds (up from 41.95 percent on Election Night). Total returned absentee ballots in District 11 as of June 30 amounted to 3,094 and there were 1,318 inactive ballots (early and Election Day votes, with no choices left).
Mino Lora, who is in second place, had a vote share of 40.8 percent (5,276 votes) after the tabulation. With 3,094 returned absentee votes still to be counted (at least), a win appears to be still on the cards if Lora were to receive top-ranking on all such absentee ballots.
Marcos Sierra and Carlton Berkley were “eliminated” after Round 2 with 313 and 268 votes respectively. Dan Padernacht and Jessica Haller were “eliminated” after Round 3 with 935 and 873 votes respectively. Abigail Martin was “eliminated” after Round 4 with 2,582 votes.
On June 24, Martin released the following statement, “What a wild ride it has been! I am so proud and thankful to our team for fighting so hard for District 11! The level of dedication and commitment of each one of you was unmatched and our hard work did not go unnoticed. When you consider what we were able to accomplish– as a truly grassroots campaign– I am in awe.”
She continued, “I would like to thank all of our supporters, volunteers, canvassers, donors, and endorsers for their support. From the very beginning, this campaign was never about doing what was expected– it was about giving the voters a chance for new leadership, and the opportunity to elect a candidate who would fight for all of us. While the outcome isn’t what I hoped, I know that change is on the horizon.”
Martin said she ran for City Council because she saw how so many in the community and the City were suffering, especially during the COVID crisis, and knew her experience navigating City agencies and fighting for the most vulnerable gave her the background the City needed.
“As we rebuild, I will continue to fight to make New York more affordable for all. All New Yorkers deserve the chance to thrive, no matter their financial or life circumstances,” she said. “The best part of this campaign was the relationships I’ve built over the last 10 months. I will never forget any of you, especially those who joined #teamMartin. I look forward to continuing to #buildabetterbronx together! I am forever grateful! Onward”
Again, unlike on Election Night, the percentage of scanners reported for this race was omitted from the data posted by the BOE on their website.
Source: New York City Board of Elections
In District 14, Pierina Sanchez emerged with 62.4 percent of the vote share (4,435 votes), after Round 6 (up from 38.88 percent on Election Night). Meanwhile, inactive ballots (early and Election Day votes, with no choices left) amounted to 1,425 in District 14 and total returned absentee ballots for this race as of June 30 amounted to 1,074.
Sanchez’s nearest challenger is Yudelka Tapia with 37.6 percent of the vote share (2,668 votes), leaving the latter still out of reach of a win, even if she were to be ranked in the top spot on all 1,074 absentee ballots. Socrates Solano was “eliminated” after Round 2 with 147 votes.
Fernando Aquino was “eliminated” after Round 3 with 852 votes. Haile Rivera was “eliminated” after Round 4 with 979 votes. Adolfo Abreu was “eliminated” after Round 5 with 1,913 votes.
Again, unlike on Election Night, the percentage of scanners reported for this race was omitted from the data posted by the BOE on their website.
As reported, Abreu issued a statement with his reaction to the initial results and thanking supporters on June 28.
Reacting to the latest standings, and attaching a screenshot of same, Sanchez wrote on social media, “A few more left to count but this is… wow!!! Cheers to the familia, our peoples, to all the vecinos. So proud to be born & raised in the 14th. We are going to fight so hard, together, for our BX. #WeRise”
Image via Facebook.
It was a similar situation in the Bronx borough president’s race with District 16 councilwoman, Vanessa Gibson, retaining her top spot, now with 53 percent of the vote share (43,258 votes) after Round 3, (up from 39.14 percent on Election Night). District 14 councilman, Fernando Cabrera, is now at 47 percent (38,365 votes).
There were 8,178 inactive votes (early and Election Day votes, with no choices left) in this race and as of June 30, a total of 13,297 absentee ballots had been returned for the race, leaving open the possibility of Cabrera overtaking Gibson should he receive the top ranking on all 13,297 absentee ballots.
Sammy Ravelo, Luis Sepúlveda and Nathalia Fernández were all “eliminated” after Round 2 with 1,706, 9,114 and 12,833 votes respectively.
Source: New York City Board of Elections
Ravelo issued the following statement in both English and Spanish, on June 23, the day after the primary. “Yesterday was just the beginning. I will be on the ballot this November. Everyone that is registered will be able to vote for us regardless of the party. I want to thank everyone that came out to vote yesterday. Although we did not win, we will continue to fight for a safer New York.”
On Saturday, July 3, even though the absentee ballots have not yet been counted, Cabrera issued a statement, conceding the race to Gibson, writing, “First, I want to take a moment to thank every single one of those who supported me in this borough president race.”
He added, “The love and friendships I experienced during this campaign touched me deeply. The absentee ballots are still out, but it is clear Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson is the winner and will be our next Bronx Borough President.” He added, “I truly wish her the best in her new leadership role. I will be praying and consulting with my family and friends considering my next steps.”
Fernández also issued a statement on Saturday, having seemingly conceded the race last week. On Saturday, she wrote on social media, “I want to congratulate my colleague Council Member Vanessa Gibson as she is one step closer to becoming the first female Bronx Borough President! I wish her great luck in her new leadership role, and look forward to our partnership in building a better Bronx!”
She added, “It was an absolute privilege to have the opportunity to run for Bronx Borough President. We built a tremendous movement, and brought important issues to the forefront of the conversation. I am excited to continue my work fighting for all Bronxites as a NYS Assembly Member.”
Cabrera’s concession leads the way for Gibson to make history as the first woman and the first African American woman to hold the position of Bronx borough president.
Again, unlike on Election Night, the percentage of scanners reported for this race was omitted from the data posted by the BOE on their website.
Source: New York City Board of Elections
In District 15 Republican primary, Ariel Rivera-Diaz also retained his top spot after Round 2, with 51.8 percent (71 votes) of the vote share, (up from 48.06 percent on Election Night). In second place is Aramis Ocasio with 48.2 percent of the vote share (66 votes). There were 8 inactive ballots (early and Election Day votes, with no choices left) and the total returned absentee ballots for this race as of June 30 amounted to 16.
This still leaves a door open for Ocasio to surpass Rivera-Diaz, should the former receive the top-ranked position on each of the 16 absentee ballots. There were no other candidates in the race.
Again, unlike on Election Night, the percentage of scanners reported for this race was omitted from the data posted by the BOE on their website.
Source: New York City Board of Elections
In the District 12 race, incumbent councilman, Kevin Riley, retained his top position with 59.4 percent of the vote share (8,357 votes) after Round 3 (up from 48.06 percent on Election Night). Pamela Hamilton-Johnson retains the second place spot with 40.6 percent of the vote share (5,723 votes).
Total returned absentee ballots as of June 30 for District 12 amounted to 2,567, and there were 1,067 inactive ballots (early and Election Day votes, with no choices left). Were Hamilton-Johnson to receive the top-ranked position on all 2,567 absentee ballots, that would give her a total of 8,290 votes, still less than Riley’s current 8,357.
Shanequa Moore was “eliminated” after Round 2 with 3,267 votes.
Reacting to the latest news, Riley wrote on social media, along with an accompanying screen shot showing the latest results, “BRONX PEOPLE. I am gone to bed, I am not the same person anymore so stay tune for THE AVRIL SHOW. COMING With a word from GOD. I Have A Message for the People of the BRONX. NEVER MESS WITH A PRAYING WOMAN. A PRAYING WOMAN IS DANGEROUS.”
Again, unlike on Election Night, the percentage of scanners reported for this race was omitted from the data posted by the BOE on their website.
Source: New York City Board of Elections
In District 13, Marjorie Velázquez was shown to have a vote share of 56.2 percent (4,976 votes) on Friday, with no details on any RCV rounds tabulated. Her share on Election Night was 56.15 percent.
Monique Johnson retained her second place spot in the race with 26.7 percent of the vote share (2,365 votes). Total returned absentee ballots for District 13 as of June 30 amounted to 1,390, and there were no inactive ballots (of the early and Election Day votes). Even if Johnson were to receive the top ranking of all 1,390 absentee votes, it would still not be enough to surpass Velázquez.
After RCV tabulation (excluding absentee ballots), John Perez got 471 votes, Marilyn Soto 496, and Irene Estrada 507. Estrada released the following statement on Saturday, “Congratulations to all the candidates in city wide elections that took the stand for the voice of the people. Your journey mattered, your staff and hard work paid off because you stood for democracy. Prepare for two years and come back stronger. We pray that any and all corruption will be expose and those that took the time to help steal this election will come to light.
Source: New York City Board of Elections
She added, “Irregularities happened to so many candidates it’s obvious. Rallies across the city for the data release should push truth. This rank voting is a rigged system and has proven corruption over again. Set up rallies and demand answers. This procedure begins with us. We represent the people of the Bronx. Regardless what team you are in the accountability is to the people. Get it right is not an option it’s now or never.”
Again, unlike on Election Night, the percentage of scanners reported for this race was omitted from the data posted by the BOE on their website.
Source: New York City Board of Elections
In District 16, Althea Stevens leads after Round 5 with 65 percent (5,200 votes) of the vote share (excluding absentee ballots), up from 50.23 percent on Election Night, followed by Ahmadou Diallo with 35 percent (2,802 votes). Yves Filius and Eric Stevenson were “eliminated” after Round 3 with 705 and 0 votes respectively. Abdourahamane Diallo was “eliminated” after Round 4 with 2,000 votes.
Inactive ballots (early and Election Day votes, with no choices left) amounted to 2,272, and returned absentee ballots as of June 30 amounted to 1,199. Even if Ahmadou Diallo were to get the top ranking spot on all 1,199 absentee ballots, he would not overtake Stevens.
Again, unlike on Election Night, the percentage of scanners reported for this race was omitted from the data posted by the BOE on their website.
Source: New York City Board of Elections
In District 17, Rafael Salamanca has 60.2 percent (4,869 votes) of the vote share (excluding absentee ballots), up from 59.98 percent on Election Night, followed by Helen Hines with 39 percent (3,157 votes). There was no RCV tabulation listed for this race, no other candidates in this race, and no inactive ballots in this race. Returned absentee ballots as of June 30 amounted to 1,069, meaning even if Hines were to get top ranking in all 1,069 absentee ballots, once counted, she would still not overtake Salamanca.
Again, unlike on Election Night, the percentage of scanners reported for this race was omitted from the data posted by the BOE on their website.
In District 18, Amanda Farías leads with with 51.2 percent (5,264 votes) of the vote share (excluding absentee ballots) after Round 5, up from 27.39 percent on Election Night, followed by followed by William Rivera with 48.8 percent (5,012 votes). Eliu Lara, William Russell Moore, Mirza Rashid were all “eliminated” after Round 2 with 126, 503, and 658 votes respectively. Darlene Jackson was “eliminated” after Round 3, with 1,584 votes. Mohammed Mujumder and Michael Beltzer and were “eliminated” after Round 4 with 1,832 and 1,971 votes respectively.
Inactive ballots (early and Election Day votes, with no choices left) amounted to 2,272 in this race, and returned absentee ballots, as of June 30, amounted to 1,525, meaning if Rivera were to get top ranking in all 1,525 absentee ballots once counted, he could secure a win.
Again, unlike on Election Night, the percentage of scanners reported for this race was omitted from the data posted by the BOE on their website.
Source: New York City Board of Elections
In District 8, Diane Ayala has 56.2 percent (6,013 votes) of the vote share (excluding absentee ballots), up from 56.18 percent on Election Night, followed by Tamika Mapp with 29 percent (3,105 votes).
There were no inactive ballots and returned absentee ballots as of June 30, amounted to 457. Even if Mapp were to secure the top tanking in all 457 absentee ballots, she would still not overtake Ayala. There was no RCV tabulation listed for his race. Manuel Onativia got 484 votes and Antoinette Glover got 990.
Again, unlike on Election Night, the percentage of scanners reported for this race was omitted from the data posted by the BOE on their website.
Source: New York City Board of Elections
In District 22 (where there are 16 registered Bronx voters, in addition to the majority of other voters in this District who are from Queens) Tiffany Cabán has 62.5 percent (8,053 votes) of the vote share (excluding absentee ballots), after Round 3, up from 49.32 percent on Election Night, followed by Evie Hantzopoulos with 37.5 percent (4,827 votes).
Nick Velkov, Catherina Gioino, Leonardo Bullaro and John Chiafone were all “eliminated” after Round 2 with 407, 682, 1,038 and 1,348 votes respectively. Returned absentee ballots as of June 30, amounted to 1 and there were 1,473 inactive ballots (early and Election Day votes). Even if Hantzopoulos were to win the top ranking position in the 1 absentee vote, she would not overtake Cabán.
Source: New York City Board of Elections
Again, unlike on Election Night, the percentage of scanners reported for this race was omitted from the data posted by the BOE on their website.
To provide additional context around the remaining listed returned absentee ballot numbers as of June 30 referenced above, and attached below, according to usa.gov, the rules in terms of voting and party registration are as follows:
Video courtesy of NYC Votes and NYC Campaign Finance Board.
Do You Have to Vote for the Party You’re Registered With?
Your state may give you the opportunity to declare your political party affiliation on your voter registration card.
- You do not have to vote for the party you’re registered with, in a federal, state, or local general election.
- But in a presidential primary or caucus, depending on your state’s rules, you may have to vote for the political party you’ve registered with.
The preliminary report on the RCV tabulation of the Bronx Civil Court Judge race for early votes and election day votes has not yet been released.
Video courtesy of NYC Votes and NYC Campaign Finance Board.
- Unofficial election night results will be posted at the close of polls on election day. These results will include first-choice votes from early voting and election day but will not include absentee and affidavit ballots.
- One week later, preliminary RCV elimination rounds will be tabulated and an unofficial report will be released. The tally will not include any absentee ballots.
- The ranking of candidates may continue to change until all absentee ballot processing is completed and all cure deadlines have expired.
- Preliminary RCV elimination rounds will be conducted and reports released every week until the election is certified. Final results in rank-choice elections will not be known until all absentee and military ballots are counted.
Source: NYC Board of Elections
How Will Votes Be Counted?
All first-choice votes are counted. If a candidate receives more than 50% of first-choice votes, that candidate wins.
If no candidate earns more than 50% of first-choice votes, then counting will continue in rounds.
At the end of each round, the last-place candidate is eliminated and voters who chose that candidate now have their vote counted for their next choice.
Your vote is counted for your second choice only if your first choice is eliminated. If both your first and second choices are eliminated, your vote is counted for your next choice, and so on.
This process continues until there are two candidates left. The candidate with the most votes wins.
Source: NYC Board of Elections
As previously reported, Norwood News raised some questions with the BOE regarding the sequence of the vote count process, as opposed to the vote count methodology. Some New Yorkers queried on social media why the absentee ballots, for example, were not included before the run-off (RCV tabulation) process began, since all votes, including all first-choice votes, should be weighted equally whether they are in-person, early votes or absentee votes. We did not receive an immediate response.
When the BOE released the latest returned absentee ballot numbers as of June 30, the agency did not specify if they were expecting to receive any further returned absentee ballots after that date.
However, the agency did release an important video notice recently in which New Yorkers were asked to keep an eye out for potential notices from the BOE advising voters about how they can correct any invalid absentee ballots, where applicable. If such invalid absentee ballots end up being numerous, and are ultimately deemed eligible (“cured”), they may have a bearing on the outcomes of at least some of the aforementioned races, though it is unlikely.
As reported, the BOE released the preliminary report on the RCV tabulation of early and Election Day votes in the mayoral, city comptroller and public advocate races earlier this week.
We will provide further updates as and when they become available.
admin
Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.
English
Arabic
Bengali
Chinese (Simplified)
French
Spanish