Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
TESTIMONY
Testimony by Kyron Banks from SEIU Local 32BJ against open primaries
1:08:31
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121 sec
Kyron Banks, representing SEIU Local 32BJ, testifies in opposition to the charter's recommendation for open primaries.
He argues that the current system of ranked-choice voting gives voters real power and ensures winners are elected with a majority.
Banks suggests that instead of changing the primary system, the city should invest more in voter education and registration to increase turnout, citing the union's success with these methods.
- Banks believes the current ranked-choice voting system is working well and empowering voters.
- He suggests that increasing investment in voter education and registration is a better way to boost turnout than implementing open primaries.
- He notes that the recent election saw increased turnout, even with non-ideal weather, showing that when candidates engage the electorate, people will vote.
Kyron Banks
1:08:31
Good evening.
1:08:31
My name is Karan Banks.
1:08:33
I'm here representing SEIU local thirty two BJ.
1:08:36
I'm here to testify in opposition of the charter's recommendation of open primaries.
1:08:40
The current system that we have, ranked choice voting, allows voters, including our members, to have real power in local elections.
1:08:47
This system ensures that those who win the primary elections are elected with the majority of votes.
1:08:52
We share the goal of increasing voter turn on elections.
1:08:55
However, there are some better ways that, to increase engagement of the electorate.
1:09:00
Currently, the city invests in voter education, but the city can do more in investing in voter registration and voter education of voters across the city.
1:09:09
Within our union, we see that when we invest in voter education and voter registration, we see an increase in turnout of our members and engagement.
1:09:17
And these investments citywide can also produce similar results for the voters.
1:09:22
During the election, we witnessed ranked choice strategies that allow for candidates to team up, cross endorse, and inform their supporters on supporters on how to complete the ballot using ranked choice system.
1:09:32
This kind of partnership from various candidates is welcome because it allows for a different kind of messaging and a different style of campaigning, one that encourages voter, engagement.
1:09:43
The recent election, increased voter turnout compared to 2021, which I'm sure you'll hear about a a few times tonight.
1:09:50
According to the AM article authored by Shay Vance, voter turnout, in early voting was increased and across all five boroughs.
1:10:00
The data saw there was a high turnout amongst New Yorkers between the ages of 25 and 34, one that I know the report focuses on that particular demographic and being registered as unaffiliated.
1:10:11
And this is all in the context of not ideal weather, across the early voting and then consecutive a 100 degree 100 for election.
1:10:19
And so, also, when we see when candidates actively engage the electorate, the electorate will turn out.
1:10:25
So in conclusion, the city can do a better job investing in voter education and voter registration if turnout is a goal, and that's it.