Discussion for article #230660
Ability to apply is only the first hurdle. Appointments are made by the Borough Presidents (county executives to folks outside NYC), with informal agreement to split seats with Councilmembers. This varies by BP, no strict rules. Appointments are usually allies of one or the other of these, not general applicants. If either doesn’t like you, you will never get an appointment.
Unless the BP doesn’t like the CM, then they sometimes appoint someone to set them up to challenge the CM in the next race.
The kids can get their first lesson in politics - low level politics in NYC are not based on merit, and quite Machiavellian.
It cant hurt as a way to get teenagers to realize they have a stake in what government does and who runs it. I assume anyone applying for these positions is probably going to vote as soon as they turn 18 anyway, but here’s hoping this has some effect on their peers.