Statement From Mayor de Blasio on Board of Elections

June 30, 2021

NEW YORK—Mayor Bill de Blasio today released the following statement on the Board of Elections (BOE):

“Yet again, the fundamental structural flaws of the Board of Elections are on display.

There must be an immediate, complete recanvass of the BOE’s vote count and a clear explanation of what went wrong. The record number of voters who turned out this election deserve nothing less.

Going forward, there must be a complete structural rebuild of the board. I once offered the BOE over $20 million to reform themselves. They refused, leaving legislative action as the next available recourse. After waiting hours in line myself to vote last fall, I presented a plan to remake the Board of Elections.

There are two actions the State Legislature can take to help and transform the Board or Elections:

1. Pass S. 6226 / A. 5691, sponsored by Senator Krueger and Assembly Member Rozic, to immediately professionalize the Board of Elections in its current form and make them directly accountable to New York City’s elected officials.
2. Amend the State Constitution to allow for a new, professional board, removed of party affiliation. It’s a necessary, fundamental change.”

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