Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
TESTIMONY
Testimony by Linda DiGusta, Member of Unite New York, supporting open primaries and mayoral removal
2:17:49
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83 sec
Linda DiGusta, a Manhattan resident and Unite New York member, advocates for open primaries, admitting she registers as a Democrat solely to participate in them.
She finds it illogical for New York City to maintain closed primaries while using ranked-choice voting and believes the current system contributes to voter apathy.
DiGusta also voices support for the proposed mayoral removal process and emphasizes the urgency of reforms to engage the growing bloc of young, independent voters.
Linda DiGusta
2:17:49
Can you hear me now?
Richard R. Buery Jr.
2:17:51
Yes.
2:17:52
We can.
Linda DiGusta
2:17:53
Thank you.
2:17:54
I'm having some technical problems tonight.
2:17:56
My apologies.
2:17:57
Anyway, my name is Linda.
2:17:58
I live in Manhattan.
2:17:59
I participate in the activities of Unite New York.
2:18:02
I register as a general democrat just to vote in a primary.
2:18:05
I have to be honest about it.
2:18:06
I'm not as principal.
2:18:07
There's a lot of people who spoke here tonight.
2:18:09
I would love to see open primaries on the ballot and, of course, adopt it.
2:18:13
Being the only ranked choice voting jurisdiction that does not hold up the primaries as New York City is, it just doesn't make sense to me.
2:18:21
We need more people to vote, rather than to fall into what has been called the enthusiasm gap, and I think we're getting some of that now.
2:18:28
Unfortunately, the most, far out things have the most engagement, it seems, and we have to find a way to engage more voters with an inclusive dynamic process beginning with the open primary and carrying through the general election.
2:18:40
Hopefully, we'll get ranked choice voting in those pretty soon too.
2:18:43
That would be fantastic.
2:18:44
Also, I just wanna throw in.
2:18:46
It was only a couple of hours ago that I found out about the removal elections initiative, and I think it's a great idea.
2:18:52
Because, frankly, we need all the tools we can get when the information that just goes flying around these days, requires action.
2:19:01
And just following up listening to the testimony this evening, I am struck by how important it is to act quickly to accomplish the goal of largely independent younger voters in these critical times.
2:19:12
Thank you.