Int 0067-1998

Be it enacted by the Council as follows: Section 1. Paragraph one of Section 3-709.5 of the administrative code of the city of New York is hereby amended to read as follows: �3-709.5. Mandatory debates. 1. In any year in which a primary, runoff primary, general or special election is to be held, any participating candidate for nomination or election to a citywide office shall participate in two pre-election debates held pursuant to this section for each election in which he or she is on the ballot except that in the second general election debate the candidate shall meet such criteria for participation as may be specified in the application submitted by the debate sponsor pursuant to paragraph (b) of subdivision five of this section. [In the case of a] The first primary[, the first] debate shall be among participating candidates seeking nomination of the same political party. If there is no contested primary for an office in a political party then no debate for that party's nomination shall be held pursuant to this section. The candidates participating in the second primary election debates for mayor, public advocate and comptroller that shall meet such criteria for participation as may be specified in the application submitted by the debate sponsor pursuant to paragraph (c). Each debate held pursuant to this section shall be at least one hour's duration. �2. Paragraph five of Section 3-709.5 of the administrative code of the city of New York is hereby amended to read as follows: �3-709.5. (c)(i) The second debates for a primary election for mayor, public advocate and comptroller shall include only those candidates who are participants in the campaign finance program, are on the ballot for the primary election and who the sponsor has determined are the leading contenders for the office on the basis of objective, non-partisan, and non-discriminatory criteria. These criteria must be set forth in the sponsor's written application. (d) In the case of the second general election debate and the second primary debates for mayor, public advocate and comptroller, the application shall also provide for an alternative non-partisan voter education program that the sponsor shall provide for any participating candidates not deemed leading contenders. �3. This local law shall take effect immediately.