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TESTIMONY

Testimony by David Belmont, Member of the Public, on the fairness of open primaries for independent voters

1:41:34

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100 sec

David Belmont, a lifelong New Yorker and independent voter, testifies in wholehearted support of opening up primaries to independent voters. He recalls testifying for and voting for open primaries in 2003 and believes allowing independents into the first round of voting is a matter of fairness, as this is where most races are decided.

He highlights that 1.1 million independent voters in New York City are currently locked out of this crucial election.

David Belmont

1:41:34

Hello.

1:41:35

My name is David Belmont, and I'm most happy to be here, for the commissioners.

1:41:42

I'm a lifelong New Yorker, born here in Brooklyn, raised in Queens, currently live on the Upper West Side Of Manhattan.

1:41:50

I've been an independent voter my entire voting life.

1:41:55

I've been active in New York and national politics since 1979, running ballot access drives and doing statistical analysis for insurgent and independent candidates.

1:42:08

I wholeheartedly support opening up the primaries to independent voters.

1:42:14

I testified in support of and voted for open primaries the last time it was on the ballot in 02/2003.

1:42:23

I think allowing independence into the first round of voting is simply a question of fairness.

1:42:32

That round is the where the overwhelming majority of races are decided.

1:42:39

We've heard this figure, 1,100,000 independent voters in New York City.

1:42:45

That's a lot of folks to lock out of the most important election in determining who represents us.

1:42:53

In closing, I'd like to say, in regard to barring independence from primaries, New York City is an outlier.

1:43:02

80% of the 50 largest cities in The United States have some form of open primary.

1:43:09

I think it's high time for New York to get in step.

1:43:14

Thank you.

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Testimony by Yvonne Murray, Member of the Public, on open primaries and voter suppression of independents