In my experience with the recent NYC mayoral election, since it was my first-year voting, I would like to share my perspective because due to the outcome of the recent mayoral election, I have realized that this recent election has sparked many reactions both negative and positive. As I was able to finally participate, my attention was more focused on the reactions of people around me and all over the city. People’s reactions and emotions made it clear that local elections affect people in many ways. Excitement was a clear emotion from most New Yorkers, because in a way, people felt that this new mayor would be able to bring hope into the city. Simple things like lowering housing prices, making public transportation more affordable, and making it a safe place for all New Yorkers. Many New Yorkers, as well as me, felt that this new mayor was closer to the community than all the other candidates, which brought more trust into the conversation, which was a friendly feeling.
Although I have noticed many positive reactions, negative ones were also a part of society’s reactions. Disappointment was one of many negative reactions because some New Yorkers were upset or frustrated with the outcome of the election. Many New York mayors in the past seem to make promises that they simply cannot keep, which is one reason why many New Yorkers seem to be disappointed with the outcome of the election. As well as many people have different ideologies than others. Housing prices and affordable public transportation do not seem like a big issue to some, or many can see it simply too big of an issue to be able to fix. Which has also changed my perspective because I have noticed how careless some people are about the environment they live in and how they expect a lot from the new mayor.
These reactions have caused my knowledge of federalism to expand. My understanding of federalism was very minimal but due to the recent election, I have begun to understand federalism in a more personal way than before. Federalism is what divides each power from one another, like local governments, the state and federal governments. The president holds national power, but the mayor can change local issues that only New Yorkers might deal with and be affected by every day. The mayor plays a huge role in New Yorkers’ lives because while the federal government can provide money for housing, the mayor can decide where new buildings should be placed. As well as affordable transportation cannot be fixed by the federal government. This has expanded my knowledge because federalism is more important and included than I had thought before. Since specific issues cannot be solved by the federal government. If federalism did not exist, most of the current issues happening in NYC would not have a solution.
Overall, my first experience voting has been very educational for me and has also allowed me to see things that i have never realized before. Things like the realization that local governments hold so much power to fix local issues. As well as how society reacts very strongly when a change is happening to their city, many emotions and ideologies are shared which shows how much affect elections have on society altogether. This all matters because it shapes a place and everyone in it, which is why local elections matter more than people think.
By Melanie Navarrete
