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Media Contact:                                         For Immediate Release:
Sarah Malloy-Good                                     January 7, 2010
212.400.0531

New trainings scheduled to educate prospective candidates about Special Election process

New York, NY - Within hours of news declaring Brooklyn Council member Simcha Felder's resignation, local nonprofit Grassroots Initiative made its own announcement - launching a series of trainings to educate prospective candidates about the upcoming Special Election in the 44th Council District. The trainings are designed to help increase participation in the elections, which are notorious for low voter turnout and can carry a hefty cost to taxpayers.

Felder's resignation from the New York City Council is slated go into effect January 31, triggering a rapid procession of events that will bring a new Council Member to Bensonhurst, Midwood and Borough Park before the end of March. Mayor Bloomberg is expected to formally announce the Special Election within the first three days of February, at which time candidates will have roughly 12 days to petition. Candidates must gather a minimum of 765 valid signatures from registered voters in the district to get their name on the ballot. Special elections for City Council are highly unique due to their nonpartisan nature - candidates cannot run on the Democratic, Republican, Independence, Conservative or Working Families Party lines and therefore must rely on campaigning and name recognition with voters to ensure victory.

Grassroots Initiative has scheduled two trainings at the Mapleton Public Library Branch in the heart of the 44th Council District. The trainings will walk candidates through the process of petitioning, combating ballot challenges, and campaigning during the hyper-condensed election period. The organization is also sending out packets of information to past candidates from the 44th Council District to be sure that they understand the Special Election process.

"Recent Special Elections in New York have been marred by legal challenges which often deprive voters of choices at the ballot" said Jeff Merritt, the Founder and President of Grassroots Initiative. "Our goal is to help prospective candidates know what to expect and avoid the common mistakes of past candidates."

Candidate Training Dates
Saturday, January 23, 2-4 pm & Monday, January 25, 6-7:30 pm
Mapleton Public Library Branch, 1702 60th Street (at 17th Avenue), Brooklyn

Seating at the trainings is limited; to guarantee a space, interested persons should register by calling Grassroots Initiative at (212) 400-0531 or by sending an email to info@gograssroots.org.

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About Grassroots Initiative

Grassroots Initiative is the nation's first non-profit election consulting firm. Since 2005, the organization has served as the "go-to" point for individuals interested in running for elected office in New York City. Grassroots Initiative's programs and services work to ensure that the door to public service is open to the best and brightest community leaders and that, once elected, these officials have the tools they need to successfully serve their constituents. To learn more, visit www.gograssroots.org