Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
TESTIMONY
Testimony by Yvonne Lee, Member of the Public, on the democracy crisis and the need for open primaries
0:56:37
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140 sec
Yvonne Lee, a lifelong New Yorker and independent voter, testifies in support of opening the city's primaries. She highlights the democracy crisis caused by excluding over one million voters, especially since 49% of these independents are under 40.
Lee, who has been active in city politics since she was young and is now 79, states that being told she cannot vote in the primary is a "real slap in the face, and unAmerican." She urges the commission to put open primaries on the ballot, asserting that all New York City voters have a right to equal participation.
Yvonne Lee
0:56:37
My name is Yvonne Lee, and I live in Holland.
0:56:42
I am a lifelong New Yorker and a lifelong independent voter.
0:56:48
I recently retired from housing preservation and development, and I am glad to see that you are working on the housing price within the city.
0:57:01
Very important.
0:57:03
I am very glad to see that you have been listening to folks from across the city and are considering the issue of opening our primaries.
0:57:16
I wanted to talk to you about the democracy crisis in our city caused by having closed primaries.
0:57:26
Anytime you have an election that excludes over 1,000,000 people from voting, to me, that's a crisis, especially when 49% of those independents are New Yorkers under the age of 40.
0:57:46
We need all New Yorkers to have a say in who our leaders are.
0:57:52
Right now, we have a system that is coincide and out of step with our voters, where our voters are.
0:58:05
I have been active in politics politics in our city since I was a young woman.
0:58:12
I'm 79 now.
0:58:13
So I have worked for many candidates and have fought for many issues.
0:58:21
I have testified at Charter Revision Commissions in the past on the same issue.
0:58:27
I pay taxes.
0:58:30
I am a community organizer.
0:58:33
To be told that I cannot vote in the primary is a real slap in the face, and un American.
0:58:42
It is time for all New York City voters to have equal rights.
0:58:49
I want to thank you and urge you to do the right thing and put open primaries on about we have a right.