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TESTIMONY

Testimony by Shane Moynihan, Member of the Public, advocating for a top-four open primary system

1:30:16

·

3 min

Shane Moynihan, a member of the public, reiterates his support for open primaries but voices a strong preference for a "top-four" system, similar to Alaska's, over a "top-two" model.

He argues that a top-two system is too restrictive and could prevent viable third-party or independent candidates from reaching the general election ballot.

Moynihan believes that a top-four system would better serve electoral reform and provide voters with more choices.

Shane Moynihan
1:30:16
Thank you for having me.
1:30:17
Thank you for coming to Queens.
1:30:19
I live just down the block.
1:30:25
I spoke with you I spoke to you several of you, maybe all of you a couple months ago.
1:30:30
I'll try not to rehash everything I said back then.
1:30:32
I agree with what everybody here has said since I've gotten here fifteen minutes ago about open primaries.
1:30:40
I think everybody in the city should have a voice.
1:30:42
I think, primary you know, closed primary system is extremely flawed.
1:30:48
It's obvious that, you know, people mention, like, oh, you know, maybe it's determined.
1:30:53
No.
1:30:53
Like, we know it's determined in the election.
1:30:56
We know that's what matters.
1:30:59
But I don't wanna believe that.
1:31:00
I actually I came here today to reiterate that, but also to express my preference for the system of open primaries if you were to choose to put one on the ballot.
1:31:14
I know, people in common cause.
1:31:18
I saw John Adlon last week or a couple weeks ago voiced the support for the top two system, which I don't agree with.
1:31:31
Right now, we're gonna have a general election with if Zellerin doesn't win primary,
Valerie White
1:31:37
you know,
Shane Moynihan
1:31:38
probably him working families, Adams independent, Silewa Republican, and Cuomo Democrats.
1:31:45
We have four.
1:31:50
Why are we gonna turn that down to two?
1:31:54
Maybe you know, personally, don't want Adam Zuccomo in the race at all, but let's say we had someone else that was good.
1:32:03
Libertarian, Green Party.
1:32:06
It's almost it's it's a very strong probability that a democrat is gonna make it in a republican.
1:32:14
Maybe two democrats if they go hard on their doors.
1:32:17
But why are we gonna say why are we gonna block that block out that third person, that third option?
1:32:26
Alaska has the top four system.
1:32:29
It's, you know, it's fairly new.
1:32:31
It's been used twice, but it's proven.
1:32:33
They tried to they tried to tear it back.
1:32:36
Alaskans came out, and they reiterated, like, no.
1:32:40
We wanna we want freedom to choose who to vote
Richard Buery
1:32:44
for it regard we don't
Shane Moynihan
1:32:45
we don't wanna be told we have to identify with the party.
1:32:50
So just use that system.
1:32:53
If if you if some of you have been thinking about the top two and leaning towards it, I think that will actually destroy have the possibility of destroying the electoral reform movement, open primary movement.
1:33:07
It helps that it has ranked choice voting compared to California where it didn't and shift boost you know, put millions on his Republican candidate, and that gives a bad name too.
1:33:18
But even with RCV, it's too restrictive, and it's just why.
1:33:24
Thank you for your time.
Richard Buery
1:33:24
Thank you so much for your testimony.
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