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Q&A
A clarification on the term "jungle primary" and its divisive nature
2:59:46
·
118 sec
Commissioner Diane Savino makes a point of clarification with Susan Lerner of Common Cause New York, stating that the commission has never used the term "jungle primary" to describe its proposal.
Lerner responds that this is the term used by activists in places like California where the system exists and that the proposal being considered is, regardless of name, extremely divisive.
She reiterates that her organization is being hampered in its efforts to build a broader consensus around a less polarizing open primary model.
- Savino emphasizes that the commission has not used the term "jungle primary."
- Lerner counters that the label is commonly used for this type of system and that the proposal itself is creating division.
- Lerner argues that the commission's focus on this specific model is preventing a more productive, consensus-based conversation about other forms of open primaries.
Diane Savino
2:59:46
Just would like to make a point that Susan, thank you.
2:59:49
But I think it's important for people to hear.
2:59:51
The commission never referred to the concept of changing our voting process to an open primary.
2:59:57
We never used the term jumbo primary.
2:59:59
Other people That's right.
3:00:00
Tried to categorize it.
3:00:01
That's right.
3:00:03
We have not done that.
3:00:04
So it's
Susan Lerner
3:00:05
That's how it's called in California by by most activists.
Diane Savino
3:00:09
Again Yeah.
3:00:10
Susan, I have tremendous respect for you.
3:00:12
Please.
Richard R. Buery Jr.
3:00:12
If people,
Jumaane Williams
3:00:13
can we
Richard R. Buery Jr.
3:00:13
just have one conversation?
Diane Savino
3:00:14
But it's important.
3:00:15
You you've been at every one of these hearings.
3:00:17
We have discussed this.
3:00:18
You've been you've testified on this issue in prior charter revision commissions Yep.
3:00:22
Advocating for this type of change.
3:00:24
I just wanted to get it on the record.
3:00:25
We here never said we wanted to adopt the jungle primary.
3:00:29
We're exploring a process that may improve voter participation in our city.
Susan Lerner
3:00:35
And again, unfortunately, the actual research and experience does not show that.
3:00:41
If what you are concerned about is giving a voice to the unaffiliated voters, I don't understand why you're hostile to semi open primaries.
Diane Savino
3:00:49
I'm not hostile to anything, but you you said we should stop this process because we don't want it to turn into a jungle primary and but we never suggested that.
3:00:58
Other people are suggesting
Susan Lerner
3:00:59
The open primary proposal that you are considering is, you must admit, very divisive.
3:01:05
Just listen to this room.
3:01:07
You're making it that much harder for us to build a consensus.
3:01:11
And twenty years ago, a similar proposal went down with broad based opposition, and you are hearing broad based opposition.
3:01:19
The nonpartisan groups we work with are do not wanna be forced into telling their people no.
3:01:24
They want more time to research types of open primaries and build a consensus.
3:01:33
Thank you.
Richard R. Buery Jr.
3:01:37
I'm sorry.
3:01:38
Are there any questions for the panel?
3:01:42
Alright.
3:01:43
Thank you so much.
Gale Brewer
3:01:44
Thank you.
3:01:44
Appreciate it.