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TESTIMONY
Testimony by Candace Prince-Modeste, President of NAACP Jamaica Branch, on concerns about open primaries diluting the Black vote
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Candace Prince-Modeste, President of the NAACP Jamaica Branch, expresses deep concern and distrust regarding the proposal to introduce open primaries in New York City elections.
Her primary worry is the potential for open primaries to dilute the Black vote, as Black voters in NYC are overwhelmingly registered Democrats and form a key base of the party.
She questions how the commission will ensure that such a change does not weaken the political power and advances made by Black New Yorkers and their allies.
Candace Prince-Modeste
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Check.
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Check.
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Okay.
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Awesome.
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Good evening, everyone.
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My name is Candace Prince Modis, and I'm speaking tonight in my capacity as president of the Jamaica branch NAACP.
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I join you this evening to express my deep concern and distrust in the proposal to introduce open primaries in New York City elections.
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As a representative of a local arm of the nation's oldest and most impactful civil rights organization, my concern primarily focuses on the potential for open primaries to dilute the black vote in New York City.
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Black people make up roughly 23% of the population of New York City, and black voters in New York City are overwhelmingly registered Democrats.
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We recognize we are have been increasingly recognized as the base of the Democratic Party.
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Black led organizations and their diverse allies have fought tirelessly to build political power and equity within the Democratic Party.
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And in this current political climate, it's difficult to ignore the suspicion that open primaries is a proposal designed merely to weaken or roll back the advances that we have made, ultimately allowing for greater infusion of special interest involvement in our local races.
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Am I being paranoid?
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Maybe a little.
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But as a black woman who constantly has to justify her desire to take up space among others in our modern society, I hope you can understand why.
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I am all for efforts to expand voter access and increase voter participation, but at what cost?
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With so many different primary models to choose from, how will this commission determine which one will best serve New York City voters?
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How will the commission ensure that this effort does not dilute the voting strength of black voters and other groups?
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How will the commission convince New Yorkers that voters with no vested interest in the policy platforms of a particular party be given the power to help elect the leaders of that party.
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I look forward to continuing this discussion and hope that this commission heeds the opinions and preferences shared here today.
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Thank you all very much.