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TESTIMONY
Testimony by Angelo Pis-Dudot from the NYC Democratic Socialists of America against the open primaries proposal
3:21:40
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174 sec
Angelo Pis-Dudot, speaking on behalf of the New York City Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), testifies in opposition to the commission's open primaries proposal.
He argues that while the current system has problems, the proposed top-two system will not cure them and may make them worse by limiting voter choice in the general election.
He suggests the commission has failed to analyze other, better options like top-four systems or proportional representation that would truly expand democracy.
- The NYC-DSA opposes the commission's open primaries proposal.
- Pis-Dudot argues that a top-two system will not lead to more voter choice, as it will likely result in Democrat-versus-Democrat general elections.
- He contends that the proposal is an unreliable way to increase turnout and has not been shown to achieve the commission's stated goals.
- He urges the commission to table the proposal and study other electoral systems that could offer more viable options for voters.
Angelo Pis-Dudot
3:21:40
My name is Angela Pisudeau.
3:21:42
I'm a Brooklyn resident, lawyer, and local government policy analyst.
3:21:46
I speak on behalf of the New York City Democratic Socialists of America.
3:21:50
New York City DSA opposes the commission's open primaries proposal and urges the commission to table it.
3:21:55
New York City DSA is a democratically run organization of nearly 10,000 New Yorkers.
3:22:00
Our chapter powered the recent victory of Zoran Mamdani in the Democratic primary party party primary for mayor, a campaign that I should note inspired historic new party registrations and turnout from under engaged constituencies throughout the throughout the city.
3:22:16
A point that underscores what fixes turnout problems is not quick fixes to party primary systems, but rather parties allowing candidates to emerge that put the needs of voters first.
3:22:29
As democratic socialists, we are committed to advancing democracy in all aspects of our society.
3:22:34
Because of that commitment, I wanna say we share the commission's concerns about weak voter empowerment, low turnout, and the unrepresentativeness of the electorate.
3:22:42
These are symptoms of a sick democracy in New York.
3:22:46
But the commission's open primaries proposal will not cure these symptoms.
3:22:50
In fact, it may make some of them worse.
3:22:53
First, as we've heard, open par primaries do not build a stronger democracy or lead to more voter choice and power.
3:23:00
That's because in the general election, under the commission's proposal, we'll only get two choices, which will, in a city like New York, almost overwhelmingly be democrat versus democrat.
3:23:10
A bunch of democrat versus democrat elections will not give voters more choice during the general election when most voters vote and also that is the election that ultimately decides who holds office.
3:23:23
The 1,100,000 unaffiliated voters in New York City and the increasing number of voters hungry for new parties around the country and in New York City show that voters are hungry for new options and not more of the same.
3:23:36
The commission's analysis has so far failed to acknowledge these serious problems and analyze other options such as top four systems like Alaska's and proportional representation systems that would actually fix the problem of not having options among independent voters.
3:23:52
Second, as we've heard, open primaries are an unreliable way to increase turnout and representativeness.
3:23:57
They have not been shown to do either of those things that you all have said are top concerns of yours.
3:24:03
Why waste taxpayer money on a ballot question that will not achieve your goals?
3:24:08
Finally, the proposal will waste taxpayer dollars because of bad election design.
3:24:13
When all eligible voters have already voted in a ranked choice primary featuring all eligible candidates, why run another costly election featuring the candidate who already won in an instant runoff election and the runner-up?
3:24:27
It's wasteful and redundant.
3:24:29
NOICDSA thus urges the commission to table the proposal.
3:24:33
Thank you.
Richard R. Buery Jr.
3:24:33
Thank you so much.