Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
TESTIMONY
Testimony by John Avlon, Representative from Citizens Union, on the need for open primaries
0:10:36
·
3 min
John Avlon, Chairman of Citizens Union, advocates for open primaries in New York City to address low voter turnout and the disenfranchisement of over one million independent voters. He argues that closed partisan primaries contribute to polarization and empower special interests, while open primaries would lead to higher voter turnout, more representative electorates, and compel candidates to appeal to all voters.
Avlon emphasizes that this reform would complement ranked-choice voting and is a common-sense solution already adopted by a majority of large U.S. cities. He urges the Charter Revision Commission to put the question of open primaries on the November ballot.
John Avlon
0:10:36
Thank you very much, members of the commission.
0:10:38
I'm John Avalon, chairman of Citizens Union, which has been fighting for reform in New York for over a century.
0:10:44
We are focused on issues of fair and open elections, honest and accountable government, and a civically engaged public.
0:10:50
Today, I'll be speaking on the topic of open primaries.
0:10:54
New York has a primary problem, but it's within your power to help us fix it this fall.
0:10:59
For decades, our city and state has suffered from volleying voter turnout, especially in odd year elect local elections.
0:11:04
More than 1,000,000 independent voters in New York City are effectively disenfranchised because they're barred from participating in low turnout, closed partisan primaries where most elections are decided.
0:11:15
This is a prime driver of polarization and hyperpartisanship that often empowers special interests and breed cynicism on the side.
0:11:22
But in 2025, New Yorkers may have a historic chance to change the game by voting for open primaries if this Charter Commission puts forward your thoughtful and courageous recommendation to open the door to all voters.
0:11:33
And it's hard to overstate how this would permanently change New York politics for the better.
0:11:37
Voter participation in New York's municipal elections has been dropping for decades.
0:11:41
In the seventies and eighties, turnout was above 50%, but it hasn't been above 30 since 02/2009.
0:11:47
In 02/2021, just 9% of all registered voters in New York City cast a ballot for Eric Adams, the Democratic primary, of course, he won the general election in landslide.
0:11:55
This is not an outlier.
0:11:56
In 2013, less than seven percent of all New York voters cast a ballot for Bill de Blasio in the Democratic primary.
0:12:02
This dynamic is bad for our democracy, at least to apathy and alienation, but it doesn't need to be this way.
0:12:08
There's a better way that is tried, tested, and true.
0:12:10
In fact, more than 80% of mayoral races in nation are chosen in some kind of nonpartisan election, including 42 of America's Fifty largest cities.
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Cities like Los Angeles, Boston, Houston, Dallas, and Chicago, all of which have elected mayors from communities of color.
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According to the New York City Campaign Finance Board, research shows the primary systems that are open to unaffiliated voters or entirely nonpartisan tend to result in higher voter turnout and more representative electorates.
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New York deserves no less.
0:12:37
That's why Citizens Union believes strongly New York should adopt an open primary system where all voters regardless of party can cast a ballot in the primary, and the top two candidates move on to the general election.
0:12:46
Under this system, candidates can still list their party on the ballot, but every voter gets a say.
0:12:51
This would not just complement ranked choice voting reforms that have been put in place.
0:12:55
It will complete them.
0:12:56
From the kick kickoff of the campaigns, candidates would be compelled to reach out to all voters, not just play to the base.
0:13:02
It will reduce incentives for negative campaigning, promote more diverse competitive races.
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Voters get a clear choice in the general election, but more voices are heard throughout the process.
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It's simple and it works.
0:13:12
There's another reason to advance this reform.
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New York City's closed partisan primary currently shuts out nearly 22% of the electorate simply because they're independent.
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These unaffiliated voters are disproportionately young and diverse.
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In fact, an analysis by the New York City campaign finance board found that 49% of registered independent voters are under the age 40, and their numbers are on the rise at a time when the parties' current dynamics are either declining or flatline.
0:13:37
Research shows that nearly 90% of independent voters would participate in primaries if given their opportunity.
0:13:42
So why are we turning them away?
0:13:44
New York has a once in a generation opportunity to finish to fix this broken system.
0:13:49
We should seize on the historic moment while frustration of the status quo is high and place the question on the November ballot.
0:13:55
This is not a radical idea, but a common sense reform.
0:13:58
After all, the job of mayor is essentially nonpartisan and problem solving.
0:14:01
As Fiorello Guardi once said, there's no democratic or republican way to clean the streets.
0:14:06
Now is the time to open up our primaries so all New Yorkers have a real and equal say in choosing who leads their city.
0:14:12
Thank you.