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Q&A

Panelists discuss preferences between nonpartisan elections and open primaries

1:34:03

·

110 sec

Commissioner Diane Savino asks the panelists whether they prefer a fully nonpartisan election system or an open primary system where voters might still interact with party primaries.

Bernard O'Brien indicates a preference for nonpartisan but acknowledges complexities.

Marianne Birch forcefully argues for eliminating party labels entirely, stating they are unnecessary voter cues, insulting to citizens' intelligence, and detrimental to democracy, particularly for younger, independent voters.

Diane Savino

1:34:03

This one.

1:34:03

So all three of you spoke about the importance of of the ability to participate in what has become the general election, which is the primary in New York City.

1:34:11

Do you have a a preference for either the straight nonpartisan November race or an open primary or does or or you open to any of three of the two?

1:34:20

I'm sorry.

Bernard O'Brien

1:34:22

Well, as the gentleman from the Manhattan Institute was speaking, I was realizing not only is he much better dressed than I am, but he's much more involved or astute on the intricacies of this.

1:34:32

So, I mean, I assume I'm a registered Democrat.

1:34:35

So if I was running, I guess I would wanna have Democrat next to my name, although there may be other Democrats as well.

1:34:43

I mean, you know, ironically, it's my understanding, and I don't wanna get into partisan, but my understanding is that the Democratic Party has always sort of favored the status quo, but this may be the year where they get bit in the rear, you you know, with with these multiple mayoral candidates.

1:34:59

So I don't know if anybody else

Marianne Birch

1:35:03

I, again, I just wanna say the notion notion that you have to have a party label in order for a voter to figure out who to vote for is relating to voters, to citizens as idiots, and I think we don't wanna do that.

1:35:29

It's our country.

1:35:31

We talk a lot about democracy.

1:35:34

The parties get in our way.

1:35:37

And what are you gonna do about all these young people who don't register in a part they don't care what the label is.

1:35:48

We don't need labels.

Anita Laremont

1:35:50

Any thoughts?

Marianne Birch

1:35:51

Thank you for your question.

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Testimony by Bernard O'Brien from Unite New York advocating for open primaries and general election RCV

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Testimony by Jeremy Gruber from Open Primaries on the national context and benefits of open primaries