Potential Candidates Can Learn About Running for Citywide Political Office in this Free Seminar
The New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) 5 Borough Candidate Training Tour, designed for anyone interested in running for city office in 2021, will be at Eastern Parkway Library, Saturday June 22, from 2 to 4 p.m.
"Since its inception the Library has been our city’s most democratic institution, and so I can think of no finer place to prepare first time candidates for elected office," said Linda Johnson, Brooklyn Public Library President and CEO. "We are proud to partner with the New York City Campaign Finance Board on this important initiative to encourage better representation in our elections."
2021 will be the largest election cycle the CFB has seen in its 30-year history. Two citywide offices, all five borough presidencies, and 35 City Council districts are held by incumbents who will be term-limited out of office and cannot run for re-election to their current office.
Given the high volume of open seats, the CFB expects upwards of 500 campaigns to register with the CFB for the 2021 election cycle. To meet the candidates where they are and ensure each campaign fulfills their legally mandated training requirement, the CFB plans to schedule over 250 trainings both in-office and off-site in 2019 and 2020 to support thousands of potential trainees. The public libraries are providing the space as a public service to prospective candidates.
"The CFB's matching funds program helps more candidates run for city office, so we want to expand the pool of potential candidates by making our trainings accessible to more New Yorkers," said Amy Loprest, Executive Director of the CFB. "We hope this will further increase the diversity of candidates running for office and provide better representation for all communities in New York City's elections. We thank our friends at the libraries for providing space for this important public service."
The New to the CFB seminar is geared toward first-time candidates and campaign staff. This seminar will provide an overview of some of the expectations and demands of running for city office. The CFB recommends attending this seminar prior to the mandatory Compliance and C-SMART training. To RSVP for a training in your borough, visit nycvotes.nyccfb.info/events; to learn more about running for office, visit https://www.nyccfb.info/candidate-services/
About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is an independent library system for the 2.5 million residents of Brooklyn. It is the fifth largest library system in the United States with 60 neighborhood libraries located throughout the borough. BPL offers free programs and services for all ages and stages of life, including a large selection of books in more than 30 languages, author talks, literacy programs and public computers. BPL’s eResources, such as eBooks and eVideos, catalog information and free homework help, are available to customers of all ages 24 hours a day at ourwebsite: www.bklynlibrary.org