NYC voters appear poised to approve outdoor dining, bike lane ballot measures

New York City residents appear poised to approve a ballot measure Tuesday that would make it easier for restaurants to offer outdoor dining, while another proposal aimed at speeding up construction of bike and bus lanes is also leading by a wide margin.

All five measures were leading by wide margins as of 11:40 p.m., with nearly 96% of voting scanners reporting, according to unofficial results from the city Board of Elections. The outdoor dining measure had 63% support, while the bike and bus lane proposal had 65%.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Tuesday night that all five measures had passed.

“Tonight, New Yorkers voted for a government that moves as fast as they do,” Mamdani said in a statement. “From opening outdoor dining faster to speeding up street safety projects to accelerating housing production, we are cutting red tape that will directly address the affordability crisis and help New Yorkers stay in the city they love. Now comes the work of turning these votes into results.”

The proposals were among five amendments to the city charter, which were developed after public meetings held by a commission selected by Mamdani's administration. The measures sought to cut red tape on everything from curbside restaurant sheds to city contracting.

Here's where each ballot measure stands.

Question 1: Outdoor dining permits

Voters were overwhelmingly backing a measure to cut permitting time and fees that can block businesses that want to offer outdoor dining.

City officials say the application process currently takes up to eight months. The measure would cut that time to two months and save businesses up to $1,800 in fees, according to commission officials.

It would also remove the City Council's power to reject sidewalk cafe applications. The number of businesses offering outdoor dining has fallen about 90% from pandemic-era highs, according to city data.

Question 2: City contracting

Voters were also favoring a measure that would simplify questionnaires and replace certain required public hearings with written comment periods.

The changes are intended to make it easier and quicker for the city to award contracts.

Question 3: Bike and bus lanes

Voters were overwhelmingly backing a measure that would streamline the process for building new bike and bus lanes.

The proposal would also speed up the disposition of unused city property and the leasing of office space for city workers.

Question 4: Building permits

Voters were also backing a measure that would bring construction permit applications into a single digital hub.

It would also put the Department of Buildings in charge of all waterfront construction permits.

Question 5: Rainy day fund

New Yorkers were favoring a measure that would set a target of 12% of tax revenues for the city's rainy day fund, which currently has no target or deposit requirements.

It would also establish a flexible deposit formula, updated at least every four years, and require mayoral approval for withdrawals exceeding 50% of the fund.

This is a developing story and may be updated.