JCRC-NY Announces Democracy Project to Boost Voter Engagement in June Primaries

NEW YORK, NY (06/18/2025) (readMedia)-- The Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY) is proud to announce the launch of its Democracy Project, a civic engagement initiative aimed at increasing voter participation and education in the lead-up to New York City's primary elections on June 24, 2025.

The Democracy Project aims to educate communities about the importance of voting in primary elections, demystifying the voter registration process, and providing clear information about Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). JCRC-NY has awarded grants to three community-based organizations serving Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) New Yorkers, recognizing the shared civic interests of AAPI and Jewish communities in our city - especially in neighborhoods where they live side by side.

The grantees are the Asian American Federation, the Asian Community Center, and Sharing Hearts Project.

Grant recipients are using the funds to carry out voter registration drives, distribute culturally appropriate educational materials, and organize public-facing events, including in-person workshops and phone and text outreach.

"Participating in local elections is one of the most impactful ways we can make our voices heard, and we must ensure every New Yorker feels informed and empowered to participate in shaping our city's future," said JCRC-NY CEO Mark Treyger. "New York's AAPI and Jewish communities, particularly in Queens and Brooklyn where these grantees are based, have a long history of working together to ensure our communities are safe, represented, and supported. Unfortunately, there's still a large gap between existing voter education, particularly on RCV, and the education our AAPI neighbors need. With the launch of this inaugural pilot Democracy Project, JCRC-NY is stepping up to address this growing need so no neighbor is left behind. We're proud to support these trusted organizations that understand how best to reach their communities to help drive them to the polls and make their most informed decision."

"As we approach Election Day, this partnership with the Jewish Community Relations Council will help Asian voters make more informed choices about the people and policies that shape our communities. Asian Americans are the fastest growing electorate in the city, but 43% of Asian New Yorkers do not speak English fluently. With Ranked Choice Voting still relatively new to many New Yorkers, AAF is committed to in-language voter education that will help Asian voters better understand the process and how it can strengthen our collective voices," said Catherine Chen, executive director, Asian American Federation.

"Through our partnership with the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, we're working to ensure that Asian American voters, and all the neighbors we serve in South Brooklyn, have the tools and support they need to participate fully in our democracy. We're proud to host community events that help register, educate, and turn out voters who may not otherwise have access to culturally appropriate resources. We're grateful to JCRC-NY for empowering us to carry out this vital work," said Annie Wang, Sharing Hearts outreach director.

"As we approach Election Day, our partnership with the Jewish Community Relations Council is helping ensure that Asian American voters - many of whom face language barriers - have access to clear, in-language voter information. In Sunset Park, where many residents rely on bilingual services, the Asian Community Center has launched a robust outreach effort: we've shared election resources with thousands of families via WeChat and Red Note, posted multilingual flyers with QR codes across Brooklyn, and established a voter information station at ACC. Community members are welcome to stop by anytime for free, in-language assistance. We're proud to work together to ensure our community is informed, empowered, and ready to make their voices heard," said Caroline Wang, director of the Asian Community Center.

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JCRC-NY, a proud partner of UJA-Federation of New York, serves as the primary community relations agency for the Jewish community in the metropolitan New York area. As an active force in New York civic and communal life, JCRC-NY operates as a central coordinating and resource body with a mission to build relationships to advance the values, interests, and security of the Jewish community and to create a more interconnected New York for all.