In this consequential election, every vote matters--even in blue New York and even in races that seem like they will be easy wins. Please reach out to friends and family, both locally and in other states, to encourage them to vote. There’s so much at stake...vote like your life depends on it.
We haven’t endorsed in every race, and not every candidate on here is the “candidate of our dreams,” but here’s the list of how (and why) our Steering Committee members are voting in 2020. For details on early voting and voting locations — visit our voting info page.
Federal races:
For President + VP: Joe Biden/ Kamala Harris
Because we want a democracy, not a dictatorship!
Rockland United was founded in the wake of Trump’s election. The last four years have been even worse than we imagined. Over 200,000 dead Americans. Kids in cages. Right-wing extremists attacking peaceful protestors. Journalists slandered as enemies of the people. Hypocrisy. Lies. Corruption. Nepotism. And a rapid slide towards authoritarianism. Was Biden our first choice in the Primary? No. Is he our first choice now? Hell, yes! We need Biden to win in a landslide if we want to continue to live in a democratic country with free and fair elections. This is NOT the year to stay home or to vote for a third-party candidate.Take nothing for granted EVERY VOTE MATTERS, even in blue New York! We are 100% all in and all hands on deck for Biden/ Harris.
** SPECIAL NOTE: PLEASE VOTE FOR BIDEN/HARRIS ON THE WORKING FAMILIES LINE (ROW D). WFP NEEDS 50,000 VOTES TO STAY ON THE BALLOT IN NY.!! ****
For Congress, NY17: Mondaire Jones
Mondaire is a truly amazing candidate. He is an unapologetic progressive who supports all of the policies we’ve been fighting for: Green New Deal, Medicare For All, Student Debt Relief, Fight For 15, you name it! Mondaire attended public school in East Ramapo, and is ready to fight for working families in this district. Mondaire also understands that our democracy is at stake. He filed a lawsuit — and won — against Donald Trump and Postmaster DeJoy for interfering with USPS. He believes in expansion of the Supreme Court and a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. As a queer black man from Spring Valley who grew up in Section VIII housing, he understands the struggles that so many Americans are facing. For him, “policy is personal.” Mondaire was our first ever endorsed candidate, and we can’t wait to see him become our new Congressman.
NY State
One thing we’ve learned over the last few years is that down ballot races matter, too! Here in NY, we had some huge wins in 2018 — including our biggest win of all, taking down the IDC — and these wins ushered in all kinds of great legislation that helped protect New Yorkers from some of Trump’s worst abuses. Thanks to our Democratic state legislators, we passed common sense gun laws, criminal justice reforms, environmental protections, reproductive health safeguards, and laws protecting women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA and immigrant communities. This year is especially important for state elections because it’s a redistricting year, and this is a once in a decade chance to prevent Republican gerrymandering in NY.
For State Senate, SD38: Elijah Reichlin-Melnick
Elijah, a Nyack native, is committed to a government that works for everyone, not just the wealthy and the well-connected. A former teacher, he supports our public schools and will fight for full funding. He’s also committed to ending the gun violence epidemic, taking bold action to combat the climate crisis, and making health care more affordable for all. Elijah is an experienced leader who has worked in local, state and federal government, and he’s ready to hit the ground running. We were proud to endorse Elijah in the Democratic Primary, and we’re looking forward to voting for him in the General Election. So don’t forget to look for his name on the ballot!
For State Senate, SD39: James Skoufis
We’re big fans of James Skoufis! We worked hard to help him flip his Northern Rockland/ Orange County District red to blue in 2018, and, boy, are we glad we did! James revitalized the Senate Investigations Committee and has been an anti-corruption powerhouse. He’s taken on lax building code endorsement, illegal housing discrimination, so-called economic development agencies that are ripping off taxpayers, and is now leading an investigation into NY’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in nursing homes. James believes that everyday New Yorkers shouldn’t pick up the tab for corporations seeking tax breaks, and he’s committed to making sure the wealthiest among us pay their fair share.
For NY Assembly, District 97: Ellen Jaffee
Ellen Jaffee is a genuinely kind and honest person, a devoted public servant, and an amazing advocate for working families in our district. She’s been on the forefront of the fight for justice for public school students, especially those in East Ramapo, and has never shied away from standing up to special interest groups that are trying to deny kids in Ramapo an education. Ellen is a proud supporter of the NY Health Act, a leader in the battle for affordable childcare, and a staunch advocate of clean air and water who has opposed unsustainable development throughout the County. Ellen is in a VERY TIGHT RACE against a Trump Republican who gets $7,500 a month from the fossil fuel industry to lobby for more fracked gas and pipelines in NY. This is a CRITICAL SEAT and we need to protect it! Your vote REALLY MATTERS IN THIS RACE!
For NY Assembly, District 96: Ken Zebrowski
Ken Zebrowski has been a consistent champion of criminal justice reform and has supported a monitor with veto power in East Ramapo. He is running unopposed in this election, and he has our support.
Clarkstown
Clarkstown voters have one additional item on their ballot this year, so don’t forget to turn over your ballot if you live in Clarkstown! Here’s the referendum question you will see:
“Do you agree that the Town of Clarkstown shall lift the restrictive covenant that limits the Palisades Center Mall to 1.854 million square feet of gross leasable space?”
We strongly urge you to VOTE NO ON THIS REFERENDUM! The last thing Clarkstown needs is another shady deal with developers that undermines years of work by environmentalists! The mall developers (who have recently donated to the campaigns of Clarkstown Supervisor Hoehmann and County Executive Ed Day) have cost Clarkstown taxpayers MILLIONS of dollars already. The last thing we need right now — in the midst of a pandemic and an economic downturn with stores closing throughout the county — is a mall expansion. Something is fishy here! No one needs more mall space. Vote NO!