Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
TESTIMONY
Testimony by Lisa Dombrow, Member of the Public, in favor of open primaries for independent voters
2:19:27
·
139 sec
Lisa Dombrow, a Brooklyn artist, educator, and long-time independent voter, testifies in support of open primaries.
She explains her choice to be independent stems from a belief that no single party fully represents her views and that major parties prioritize power over problem-solving. Dombrow argues it is unfair and undemocratic to be locked out of taxpayer-funded primary elections, which are often decisive in New York City, and that forcing independents to register with a party negates their political identity.
- Dombrow is an independent voter because she feels no party fully represents her and believes parties prioritize power over solutions.
- She argues that being excluded from primaries is unfair, as these elections are taxpayer-funded and often determine the outcome in NYC.
- Forcing independents to join a party to vote is seen as disrespectful to their political convictions.
Lisa Dombrow
2:19:27
Hello.
2:19:28
My name is Lisa Dombrow, and I just wanna start by saying I'm a bit nervous about doing this.
2:19:34
I've never testified before, but I felt that it was important to do so now.
2:19:40
I was born and raised in New York City.
2:19:42
I am an artist and educator living in Brooklyn, and I have been an independent for many years.
2:19:48
I became an independent because I don't think any political party fully represents my views.
2:19:55
And more importantly, I have come to see both major parties as prioritizing gaining and retaining power rather than trying to fix any of the serious problems we face in this city, state, country, and world.
2:20:11
I should not have to have to belong to such a party in order to participate in the political process.
2:20:19
No one should.
2:20:20
I am a voter.
2:20:22
I have voted in almost every election that I could since I was 18 years old.
2:20:28
I was once a member of a party, but I felt out of my convictions that I had to declare my independence.
2:20:35
Now I am locked out of the most important elections in the city, the primaries.
2:20:41
Some say I can vote in the primaries.
2:20:44
All I have to do is reregister as a Democrat or Republican, but I cannot do that.
2:20:51
It would negate who I am and what I believe politically.
2:20:56
That is like asking a Democrat to reregister as a Republican or vice versa for the sake of voting in a particular election.
2:21:05
It is disrespectful to ask anyone to do that.
2:21:11
Furthermore, as a taxpayer, I help fund these elections in which I am not allowed to participate.
2:21:17
This is unfair and undemocratic.
2:21:21
More than 1,000,000 New Yorkers are in the same position I am.
2:21:26
Many of them, as you have heard, younger voters and voters of color.
2:21:30
We need to be encouraging more people to vote, not putting impediments in their way or shutting them out entirely.
2:21:38
I very much appreciate your consideration of this issue, and I urge you to do something about it.
2:21:45
Thank you.
Sharon Greenberger
2:21:46
Thank you.