Before peer pressure chases Bill Thompson from the race, a look at the logic and history behind runoffs.
Early indications were that turnout in the 2013 primary was somewhat higher around the borough. Incumbents survived, and established candidates prevailed over insurgents, in Council races.
On a night when most incumbents were returned to office, the long-serving district attorney was defeated and a former power-broker lost a bid at resurrection.
At one polling site, a lot of regular voters were forced to file affidavit ballots. Including yours truly.
The device gave supporters of many candidates no way to register their preference. Election staff say no one was denied the right to vote.
A councilwoman stumped for Christine Quinn. Firefighters lobbied for Bill Thompson. And an assemblyman pumped Bill de Blasio.
Told that the issue would be resolved by this afternoon, many voters chose to come back to the site later in the day. But those unable to make the return trip are concerned that their paper ballot will not be recorded.
At one polling place in East Tremont, a quarter of voters were unable to use machines. Nearby, another election district had more affidavit ballots than machine votes.
If 200 volunteers, two buses, three 50-seat passenger vans and two minivans and 20,000 fliers aren’t enough, allies of frontrunner Vanessa Gibson hope to have help from a higher power.
Voters agree that schools are the top priority, but not on which mayoral candidate is best equipped to fix them.