For Democrats, It’s Another Manic Monday

The most consequential election of 2022 probably happened in 2021. 

That was when New York voters rejected a slate of changes to the state's constitution that would have made it far easier to vote, finally bringing New York in line with other pro-democracy states like California and Nevada. These changes would have allowed people to do extremely simple things like register to vote on election day, and would have paved the way for voters to easily vote by mail, instead of having to come up with an excuse every single time. 

Given that 2021 was a general election without real stakes for Dems (they had already nominated a Republican for mayor anyway), the state's moribund and deeply corrupt Democratic Party failed to put much of an effort behind passing the voting initiatives, rarely even attempting to explain why they were needed. But the state's Republicans, worked up post-Trump and determined to make sure that as few people vote in elections as possible, were out there messaging on the voting bills. Accordingly, the proposals all went down in flames. 

Now, Democrats are in deep freak-out mode about a couple of polls that show Long Island xenophobe Lee Zeldin gaining traction in the governor's race. They should be freaking out, but not because of Zeldin's still remote chances—they're possibly about to lose all those voters activated during the Trump administration that helped finally usher in a Democratic majority in Albany.

It's unlikely that Dems will once again attempt to get the voting changes into the state's constitution, especially as the state is now mostly ruled by a reactionary top court (that the Dems themselves installed). Instead, as state leadership continues to turn off younger Democratic voters (who like things like vote by mail!), Democrats themselves are set to spoil or turn back recent momentum on progressive issues like rental protections, bail reform, and climate change. 

It all leads one to wonder if that was actually the point. 

Here are some more links to start your manic Monday! 

• Speaking of Dems freaking out—Eric Adams and Kathy Hochul announced even more cops will be let loose on NYC subways, an initiative that is in no way related to recent polls. But we can be sure of one thing: Candy Crush is about to see some new high scores. 
• Another person has died on Rikers, the 17th death this year of someone in City custody. Conditions there continue to be abominable. The mayor thinks everything is fine. 
• Please use Fentanyl test strips for your recreational drug use. 
• Dark de Blasio. 
• Subway bathrooms are finally coming back—to eight stations. 
• New York may finally drop JPay, which has been bleeding New York’s incarcerated community dry for over a decade. 
• How outdoor dining won.
• The New York baseball season is over. The Yankees went down quietly last night on a cold, wet night in the Bronx to the clearly better Houston Astros. This is most likely the last game for Yankees skipper Aaron Boone (we'll always have that home run, Boonie), and possibly the last Yankees game for slugger Aaron Judge. If the Yankees fail to re-sign Judge, the Bronx faithful will next be calling for the heads of the disinterested second generation of Steinbrenner leadership, who are currently being outspent by the Mets (the Mets!). Should be a fun off-season after a decidedly entertaining regular season for New York baseball. Death to the hated Astros. 
• But at least this happened. A Bronx greeting to Ted Cruz: