Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
Q&A
Discussion on the proposed single November election and potential impacts of top-two and top-four systems
0:09:44
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79 sec
Commissioner Diane Savino questions Council Member Frank Morano about his proposal for election reform.
Morano clarifies he advocates for a single November nonpartisan ranked-choice election, eliminating the June primary. He expresses concern that top-two systems could result in two Democratic candidates in the general election, potentially depressing turnout among other voters, and argues that top-four, while better, could still exclude third-party and independent candidates from the ballot.
David Mirtz
0:09:44
For sure.
Diane Savino
0:09:44
What you're suggesting is just the November election.
0:09:46
No June primary, simply a November election, nonpartisan ranked choice.
Frank Morano
0:09:51
That that's correct.
0:09:52
And, I think, for instance, if you were to have the, top two system in place now, the top two candidates in the, November election would almost certainly be Democrats.
0:10:04
And I think the 25 to 30% of New Yorkers that might be inclined to vote for Curtis Laywell or another Republican, not only would they not show up in the mayor's race, but I think it would have a deleterious effect on, turnout in every competitive what's now a competitive city council seat.
0:10:21
And I think it could actually worsen the problem the commission is trying to solve with respect to voter turnout.
0:10:27
Now I don't think that's as bad of a situation with top four.
0:10:30
That's why out of those two proposals, I think top four is far preferable.
0:10:35
But, I think you still have a situation where if you're a libertarian or a green or someone that likes to vote for a third party or independent candidates, those candidates simply wouldn't get access to the ballot.
0:10:46
And I don't understand how that served.
0:10:48
I mean, I know they've tried this in Alaska, but there's a 150 democracies in the world.
0:10:53
There's a reason not one of them has done top four or top five anything.
Sharon Greenberger
0:10:59
Thank you.
0:11:00
Thank you.
Rob Richie
0:11:00
Thank you.
Sharon Greenberger
0:11:01
Thank you again.
0:11:01
Thank you for taking the time.