Election season is here again. If you want the short version of who progressives are backing and why, start here. (Always check your local sample ballot before voting, details can vary by district.)
New York City
Mayor — Zohran Mamdani (progressive pick)
Why: Backed by the New York Working Families Party and NYC-DSA; platform centers cost-of-living relief (transit, rent, child-care) and pro-labor governance.
What to know:
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Expect heavy opposition coverage and last-minute noise; focus on platform + endorsements you trust.
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Confirm your polling place and early-vote hours with NYC BOE/NYC Votes.
Also on NYC ballots: Comptroller, Public Advocate, Borough Presidents, and City Council seats (varies by district). Use NYC BOE/NYC Votes to pull your exact ballot.
Los Angeles / California (statewide)
California Proposition 50 — Temporary Congressional Map Change
Progressive position: Leaning YES (with caveat)
Why YES: Democratic and progressive voter guides argue Prop 50 is a counter to aggressive partisan gerrymanders in states like Texas and could prevent the U.S. House from being locked in by skewed maps. California Democratic Party and Courage California back Yes.
Caveat: Some good-government groups (League of Women Voters of California) declined to take a position, citing concerns about mid-cycle redistricting norms—even while hosting Pros & Cons forums. Read both sides, then decide.
What Prop 50 does (plain English):
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Lets California temporarily use new congressional lines the Legislature advanced for 2026–2030, framed as a response to other states’ partisan map changes.
Action: Check your county sample ballot; LA City itself has fewer big municipal races this cycle, but Prop 50 is on every CA voter’s ballot.
Seattle (and King County)
Seattle Proposition 2 — Business tax restructure
Progressive position (common): Generally YES among several left-leaning outlets, aimed at cutting or eliminating B&O taxes for most small businesses while raising more from the largest firms to help close the budget gap. (Editorial/advocacy endorsements vary by org; read your favorite local guide.)
Also watch:
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Local races for Mayor, City Attorney, and Council (endorsements differ by org—labor groups and progressive media have split decisions this year).
Make a plan (2 minutes)
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Pull your official sample ballot (NYC BOE/NYC Votes; LA County Registrar; King County Elections).
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Set an early-vote window on your calendar.
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Bring a friend. Democracy is a team sport.
A small ask (and a small shop)
If you like guides like this, Civic Goods Co. helps fund more with every order. Try our calm-energy bestseller, “Earth Is For Everyone” tee, or the new “We All Belong Here” drop, made for rallies, school pick-ups, and everyday optimism.
(We’ll keep updating guides as new info lands. If you spot a change on your local ballot, send us a note and we’ll add it.)
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