NYC election 2026: 5 ballot proposals on outdoor dining, street safety, permits and rainy-day funds explained

Election Day for New York City is just a little over a month away. For New Yorkers who voted in the June primary, the names on the ballot on November 3, 2026, will be familiar. But there will be something more than candidates to consider this time.

Voters will also see five questions on proposed amendments to the New York City Charter, the document that sets the framework for how city government operates.

The city’s Commission on Government Efficiency, or COGE, launched a public education campaign on September 15 to explain the five proposals before Election Day. The campaign is called “Vote on Faster Government.”

What are NYC’s 5 ballot proposals?

The 5 ballot proposals cover outdoor dining and accessibility, city contracts, street safety, construction permits and the city’s rainy-day fund.

Question 1: Outdoor dining and accessibility for New Yorkers

The first proposal would change the process for outdoor dining applications and approvals for accessible entrance ramps and lifts.

According to the city, it would cut the outdoor dining application process from 8 months to 2 months. As per its estimates, it ‘saves small businesses up to $1,800 in application costs and thousands of dollars in staff time.’

The proposal would also speed up approvals for accessible ramps and lifts by two months.

Question 2: City contracts

The second proposal is on businesses and nonprofits that contract with the city.

COGE says it would reduce administrative requirements and could save contractors “up to 30 days in the contracting process.”

Question 3: Street safety and city property

The third proposal would change the process for certain street safety projects, including bike lanes.

The city says the changes could speed up those projects by at least 33 per cent. It would also allow the city to generate potential revenue from selling small surplus lots and unused air rights over city-owned landmarks.

COGE estimates that it could unlock “more than $200 million in potential City revenue.”

Question 4: Construction permits

The fourth proposal says it would bring 40 approvals currently handled by 18 separate offices and agencies into one place. COGE claims the change is intended to simplify the permitting process and save builders time.

Question 5: Rainy-day fund

The fifth proposal would establish a savings target for the city’s rainy-day fund. Under the proposal, the target would be 12 per cent of total tax revenue, with the stated goal of strengthening the city’s finances over the long term.

How were NYC's 5 ballot proposals developed?

More than 1,000 New Yorkers took part in 10 public hearings held across the five boroughs in June and July. The commission said participants shared ideas about both what the city government does and how it operates.

“Whether you bike to work, own a small business or rely on non-profit services, these ballot proposals are about making sure City government works more efficiently for you,” Patrick Gaspard, chair of COGE, said in the September 15 announcement.

“Now it’s up to voters to decide. Until then, our job is to make sure every voter has what they need to make an informed choice,” he added.

The five questions will appear on the November 3 ballot, giving New York City voters the opportunity to vote on each proposed Charter change.