Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
Q&A
Further debate on open primary models, timing, and voter engagement
0:53:04
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168 sec
Susan Lerner suggests that if the commission feels compelled to act, a semi-open primary would be the simplest and least disruptive option to enfranchise the 1.1 million non-affiliated voters.
Chair Richard R. Buery Jr. defends the hearing schedule, noting numerous past and future hearings, and reiterates the commission's intent to be inclusive. He emphasizes the risk of future commissions not taking up the issue if this one delays.
Cathy Stewart interjects, highlighting that independent voters are planning to protest at polls due to being excluded from primaries they fund. She argues the current disconnect shows why reform is needed and that Common Cause is well-positioned to lead educational efforts.
- Lerner states she will submit academic studies contesting some claims made.
Richard R. Buery Jr.
0:53:04
I just wanna take one point.
0:53:07
You know, we've had, as you know, I think nearly a dozen public hearings or not all tonight.
0:53:12
So I I just think fairly we have had and will discontinue to have public hearings.
0:53:16
And so I I don't think it's completely fair to say that somehow it's disrespectful to folks that have a hearing tonight.
0:53:22
We're trying to accommodate a lot of people and a lot of schedules across a large city, and certainly no intent is made by that.
0:53:29
But I I don't think it's fair to sort of use tonight's schedule as somehow excluding other voices.
0:53:35
And the only thing other thing I would say and, again, I ask the question because I do take the perspective seriously.
0:53:41
I I think the only thing I would encourage you and your partners to consider is that there is a risk that with less time, there is less time to consider.
0:53:50
There's also a risk that you could take more time and never have a commission that's willing to put this on the ballot again.
0:53:54
I think there are risks in every process.
0:53:58
I do think that this, as you know, this is on our agenda, not because not by design, but because we heard tons of people who wanted on our agenda, and it it would seem to be disrespectful not to consider those voters as well.
0:54:11
So I I just wanna say that because I just wanna be clear that we are trying to accommodate the voices that we're hearing, and we're, of course, always open to hearing additional voices, and there is still time to do so.
Cathy Stewart
0:54:24
I just if I could, I wanted to address one thing, Susan, about what you were saying about all of the organizations, and I commend them for all the work they're doing to educate and activate people in the primary.
0:54:35
There are independent voters who are getting ready to picket some of those polls tomorrow because they're sick and tired of paying for primaries that are essentially private.
0:54:43
And I would point out that the reason that the exact thing you're saying that all these organizations who are doing good work within the party structure had no idea that this was an issue of concern to thousands and thousands of voters.
0:54:58
That's the disconnect that we have to solve.
0:55:01
And this is not radical.
0:55:02
Most cities in the country use it.
0:55:05
And, also, by the way, you heard testimony from USC that shows the impact.
0:55:10
The more closed the system is, the lower the turnout in communities of color.
0:55:14
It's really time to take a step forward, and it's been studied.
0:55:18
And I would say, Susan, Common Cause is in a great position to play a leadership role with all those organizations.
0:55:23
I mean, you did a remarkable study.
0:55:25
So I think you're well positioned to help move the needle on the education front.
0:55:30
You and I have talked about that over the years too.
Richard R. Buery Jr.
0:55:35
Right.
Cathy Stewart
0:55:36
Right.
0:55:36
Well, 1,100,000 voters can't keep waiting.
Deborah Green
0:55:39
Again, you've heard
Susan Lerner
0:55:42
from one academic there, I will be sending you a large number of studies which contest that position.
Richard R. Buery Jr.
0:55:48
Thank you both so much, and thank you for engaging with us.
0:55:50
So I appreciate it.