Hey, you! Yes, YOU. I have a favor to ask you and don't worry, I'm going to make executing on it very easy: When—not if—you go to vote in the midterm elections on November 6th, flip over your dang ballot because even after you've ticked the boxes for your preferred candidates, there's still so much civic duty left to do! The ballot measures beg for your assessment! Do not let them down! This is going to be very fun for you!

Before we get to flipping, though, please note that—unless you vote on Staten Island—this year's ballot will be longer than ever before: It will effectively be two regular-length ballots fused together, which frankly sounds like a recipe for disaster. Be aware that you must carefully tear your megaballot in half, along the perforated line, before you can cast it. You will insert the halves into the scanner separately, as illustrated in this helpful video alert from NY 1.

Here's how to not mess up the two-page (double-sided!) ballot on November 6. Thanks, @courtneycgross! #NY1Politics pic.twitter.com/Dd746fP2VB — Spectrum News NY1 (@NY1) November 5, 2018

Anyway, Mayor Bill de Blasio is also imploring you to turn that shit over, FWIW:

Next Tuesday make sure to #FlipYourBallot and vote on three important charter revision proposals. These initiatives will have a big impact on our city - so it's crucial that New Yorkers make their voices heard. Go to https://t.co/FOMvXmYu6t for more information. pic.twitter.com/Nh7QtdqmAN — Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) November 1, 2018

*chorus of voices chanting with ever-escalating fervor* flip flip flip Flip Flip FLIP FLIP FLIP FLIP FLIPFLIPFLIPFLIPFLIP WASN'T THAT EXCITING?

What exactly will you find on the back of your ballot? So glad you asked. This election, New Yorkers vote on three propositions, each of which demands only a simple Yes or No. I have read your comments and I know you have Opinions, so I trust that you can summon up a few of those in response to the questions the Board of Elections will pose to you.

And Gothamist is here to help with that! Here's what you need to know.

First things first, ballot propositions invite voters to amend—or not!—New York City's charter, our founding document. Chaotically enough, we have not one but two charter commissions: Both the mayor and the city council retain the right to appoint review committees, but the ballot measures you'll see before you IF YOU JUST FLIP OVER THE GD BALLOT come from the mayor's appointees.

The first proposal pertains to campaign finance, and would cap the dollar amounts candidates can legally accept from single donors. Prop 1 would lower the dollar amount of contributions permitted to candidates for high-ranking positions who participate in the city's public funds matching program—read more about that here, but basically, NYC matches a percentage of small amount donations—from its current limit, $5,100, to $2,000. It would also up the public funds matching ratio from $6 of public funding for every $1 of eligible contributions to $8 for every $1, AND it would make that money accessible to candidates earlier on in the election year. On top of all that, Prop 1 would lower the public fund qualification bar for candidates running for mayor, comptroller, and public advocate.

Prop 1 proponents argue that limiting campaign contributions reduces the likelihood that special interest groups with cash to spend can buy politicians, thereby lessening at least the appearance of corruption while simultaneously boosting the influence everyday people have on politics. Further, proponents expect that reforming our campaign finance laws will translate to government bodies that aren't exclusively populated by independently wealthy people, and include demographics more representative of the constituency. Opponents say that these proposed limits aren't low enough to preclude the possibility of corruption, that candidates would have to spend much more time fundraising, and that the whole thing would be too expensive anyway.

Proposal 2, meanwhile, centers on the creation of a 15-person Civic Engagement Commission that would put in place a participatory budgeting program across the city by 2020, so people can help decide how the city council spends some of their money. It would also ensure that language interpreters are available at polling places for the 2020 election. Prop 2 supporters contend that everyone deserves both a say in their community and access to information about how their government works. Detractors note, however, that because the mayor would appoint eight of the commission members, with the borough president and city council speaker selecting the rest, there's too much room for partisanship. Opponents also take issue with the added layer of red tape another bureaucratic body presents.

Finally, Proposal 3 concerns community boards: chiefly, how long members can serve. New York City's 59 community boards advise the borough presidents and other elected officials, and as things stand, a board member may be reappointed to their two-year terms into infinity. Prop 3 would limit them to four consecutive terms, and further, it would force borough presidents "to seek out persons of diverse backgrounds in making appointments to community boards."

Proponents maintain that community boards should reflect the communities they represent, thus the need for a more representative panel, and to eliminate the possibility that the same few people will continue to sit in their seat forever. Opponents worry that switching up board members would sideline long-serving people with vital experience and knowledge, thereby making Community Boards less effective.

And now you know! SEE YOU ALL AT THE POLLS WE WILL BE WATCHING.

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