Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
TESTIMONY
Testimony by Theodore Kronby, student intern with Unite New York, supporting open primaries for youth engagement
3:11:24
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78 sec
Theodore Kronby, a high school student and intern with Unite New York, briefly testifies in support of open primaries. He argues they would make the city's democracy more inclusive, potentially boosting engagement (citing California's experience), and states that closed primaries act as a barrier discouraging youth participation even before they cast their first vote.
- Argues open primaries align with principles of inclusive democracy learned as a student.
- Suggests closed primaries discourage participation among young people.
- Cites potential for increased engagement and representation based on other jurisdictions.
Theodore Kronby
3:11:24
Yeah.
3:11:24
Terribly sorry for the mix up there.
3:11:28
This works now.
3:11:29
Sorry.
3:11:29
I couldn't change my name.
3:11:31
Hello.
3:11:32
I'm Theodore Cronby.
3:11:33
I'm a sophomore at Hunter College High School in New York and a strategy intern for Unite New York.
3:11:39
I'll keep this brief.
3:11:40
I'm conscious that my speech could push back that those of speakers older and wiser than me.
3:11:47
As a student, I've learned that the characteristics of successful democratic systems include being inclusive in my classes.
3:11:55
I believe that putting open primaries on the ballot in 2025 would make New York's system more inclusive.
3:12:02
This ballot initiative has the opportunity to increase voter engagement and turnout by making primary elections more representative of New Yorkers.
3:12:11
For example, in the eight years following California's implementation of open primaries, minority legislative caucuses grew by up to 50%.
3:12:21
I, alongside the rest of my generation, am eager to participate in New York City's government.
3:12:28
Barriers to participation, like closed primaries, discourage us before we even cast our first ballot.
3:12:35
Thus, I'm testifying before you today and urge you to put open primaries on the ballot this year.
3:12:41
Thank you.