Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
TESTIMONY
Testimony by Shane Moynihan advocating for open, nonpartisan primaries for inclusivity and collaboration
2:39:37
·
3 min
Shane Moynihan from Jamaica, Queens, argues for open, nonpartisan primaries, stating voters shouldn't face inconvenient deadlines or feel forced to misrepresent their affiliation to participate in democracy. He believes the current system under one-party dominance discourages collaboration and urges New York City to lead by example in creating a more inclusive process where all citizens can work together.
- Argues closed primaries force inconvenient choices and potential misrepresentation of affiliation.
- Highlights the restrictive party change deadline.
- Believes open primaries encourage broader collaboration among citizens.
Shane Moynihan
2:39:37
Hello.
2:39:37
I'm Shane Moynihan from Jamaica, Queens.
2:39:43
Part of me is disjointed.
2:39:44
I didn't have any written statements coming in today.
2:39:48
I have some things crippled down here, but you have you have heard many I'm here to speak about open primaries, nonpartisan primaries.
2:39:55
You've heard a lot of testimony here with statistics of who's being left out, who doesn't have a voice.
2:40:02
I don't wanna go into all that because you've heard it.
2:40:08
Number one, when we ask a citizen to participate in democracy, which I think what we're we all want.
2:40:16
Right?
2:40:16
We're we're asking them for whether we just want them to do that.
2:40:19
We shouldn't ask them
Richard R. Buery Jr.
2:40:20
to lie.
2:40:21
We shouldn't ask them
Shane Moynihan
2:40:22
to lie about their identity, about what group that they're aligning with.
2:40:27
That's wrong.
2:40:29
I've been willing to I've been willing to stay registered democrat for the last two years out of convenience.
2:40:38
I used to switch back and forth from independent and democrat, but nobody should have to make that choice.
2:40:44
Nobody should have to have this added inconvenience and obstacle to participating in their city's democracy and deciding how the city is running.
2:40:56
I think the one party rule that we're obviously not immune to here in New York is adding tension.
2:41:09
The betting market betting markets had, as of a month ago, 90% chance that the mayor is going to be the democratic nominee.
2:41:19
What incentive do I have as a republican, independent, green, libertarian?
2:41:23
Although those some of those have already been kicked out of the state.
2:41:28
What incentive do I have to be to participate to collaborate with my fellow citizens, with my neighbor, with the democrat?
2:41:39
I don't.
2:41:39
I mean, there there is incentive, but many we're seeing many people don't don't feel that.
2:41:46
February 14 is the deadline where you have to change parties.
2:41:52
You don't do it by February 14.
2:41:54
You have no say in in who the mayor is.
2:41:57
That's way too late, but there shouldn't be such a restriction in the first place.
2:42:07
Running out of time here.
2:42:08
Wanna say that New York New York City is a pioneer to this country.
2:42:13
We should lead by example.
2:42:14
And while I don't I don't think this should be a partisan decision, I do wanna speak really quickly about the hesitation some people might have.
2:42:24
Oh, this is going to give Republicans more power.
2:42:28
Well, I think as New York City, as New Yorkers, we should lead by example and give everybody a voice in our democracy.
2:42:38
And may that be the path that we all carry forward because we're stuck with each other in this country, Democrats, Republicans, whether we like it or not.
2:42:46
So let's work together.