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TESTIMONY

Testimony by Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause New York, on the need for consensus in primary reform

0:40:07

·

3 min

Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause New York, highlights the lack of consensus on the appropriate form of primary reform, with various organizations proposing different models.

She references a letter from unions and organizations questioning the timing of the proposal, suggesting it has hindered a thorough discussion.

Lerner cites research indicating that top-two primaries may not increase overall turnout and can decrease participation in general elections with same-party candidates.

  • She also points to studies suggesting little relationship between primary openness and ideological extremism of elected officials.
  • Lerner expresses concern that a rushed decision might lead to a "no" vote on any proposal, and advocates for more time to build community-wide consensus on the best form of open primary for New York City.
Susan Lerner
0:40:07
Hi.
0:40:08
Thank you.
0:40:08
I'm Susan Lerner.
0:40:09
I'm the executive director of Common Cause New York.
0:40:12
And I think it's very telling that the, my companion here does not have a preference, but likes the concept of open primaries.
0:40:21
Our elections are very complicated.
0:40:24
And as we have seen, there is absolutely no consensus as to what would be the appropriate form of primary reform in our city.
0:40:34
Citizens Union has one model.
0:40:36
Reinvent Albany has another.
0:40:38
Common Cause has talked about the semi open primary.
0:40:41
And actually last hearing, Gwen Mandel from the Independent Voting Organization said, keep it simple.
0:40:50
So what we have seen is a lack of consensus.
0:40:53
And in fact, this today, a letter was released from 13 unions and 27 organizations who actually talk to voters day in and day out.
0:41:03
And they've said, why are you surprising us with this?
0:41:06
What has happened as a consequence is actually not a thorough discussion because a thorough discussion would review the actual research.
0:41:16
For instance, the desire for greater electoral participation may be an admirable goal, but little evidence suggests the top two primary is a successful method for achieving it.
0:41:28
A report by Professor Patterson of the Southern Oregon University in Electoral Studies 60.
0:41:38
He goes on to say estimating the unintended, let's see, General elections featuring two members of the same party, the arrangement reformers contend would increase turnout, actually decreases voter participation.
0:41:53
I find that approximately 77% of voters roll off the ballot in the absence of party competition, while overall turnout is unaffected.
0:42:03
These results suggest the top two primaries are likely to exacerbate rather than ameliorate trends in participation.
0:42:10
And then there's a very interesting piece by Seth Mascout at the University of Denver, which is entitled What Is and Isn't Causing Polarization in Modern State Legislatures.
0:42:21
He says, there is little relationship between the openness of a primary system and the ideological extremism of the elected officials it produces.
0:42:31
So the question really is, if we are looking to involve the unaffected 1,100,000, which as Ms.
0:42:41
Savino pointed out, we have studied, then I think we need to get beyond the concept of open primaries and we need to have a community wide discussion of what form.
0:42:52
And I am concerned that instead of having a broad based discussion, we are now facing a situation where some substantial portion of those who are politically engaged have been forced into an automatic no position.
0:43:08
Because what they're really concerned about is more of the jungle primary, but now they are lumping in open primaries, and we are not having a detailed discussion about what we're trying to achieve, and we're not bringing in a larger, broader selection of people to support the concept and the specific type of open primary that we think will work in New York City.
0:43:31
So there is no rush.
0:43:33
We are not gonna have another municipal primary for four years.
0:43:37
Give us an opportunity to build a consensus and come back to the next Charter Revision Commission with a consensus, at least 70 to 80% of those who are engaged, what form of open primary, rather than having a top down decision made?
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