New York City voters will decide on housing proposals in November's election. Gary Hershorn/Corbis News/Getty Images New York —

New York City voters are currently deciding on one of the most polarizing issues in decades. But it has nothing to do with 34-year-old democratic socialist mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani.

Instead, it will determine who has the power to greenlight — or block— affordable housing development in the city.

Several proposals on the ballot could speed up affordable housing development and land use approvals in the city. The proposals have pitted the City Council against the mayor, and developers against unions. The fight is symbolic of a larger power struggle playing out in liberal cities and states like New York and California. Despite championing inclu

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