Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
TESTIMONY
Testimony by Shane Moynihan on the need for a top-four open primary system
4:14:28
·
3 min
Shane Moynihan, cofounder of the New Leaf Democrats and a leader at the Forward Party, testifies in support of open primaries but strongly advocates for a top-four system over a top-two system.
He calls the arguments against open primaries "hollow," suggesting they are made by people who have gained power in the current system and don't want to give it up.
He argues that a top-two system does the reverse of what is needed, as it trims down options and makes it harder for independent and third-party candidates to break through.
- Moynihan dismisses arguments that open primaries would destroy grassroots power.
- He strongly advocates for a top-four system, arguing that a top-two system reduces options for voters.
- He believes a top-four system would provide more competition and hold officials more accountable.
- He states he would campaign "full force" against a top-two proposal.
Keanu Arpels Josiah
4:14:28
Good evening, commissioners.
4:14:29
Thank you.
4:14:30
My name is Keanu Arpels Josiah, and I represent today Fridays for Future in New York City, a grassroots organization of high school students and young people across dozens of schools dedicated to fighting for climate action.
4:14:42
And I'm here to express our strong opposition to the proposed adoption of a jungle primary system for New York City elections.
4:14:49
You heard earlier from one of our passionate middle school organizers speaking in her personal capacity, Catherine Du.
4:14:55
Let's be clear.
4:14:56
This top two or top four proposal is distinct from true open political primaries.
4:15:02
That isn't the debate here.
4:15:04
This is disastrous for our generation.
4:15:06
Last cycle, our members knocked on doors, held forums, and we've done the work to build political power from the ground up.
4:15:14
Members like ours are the lifeblood of our city's civic fabric and how many young people, including those who may not be able to vote yet, engage in our electoral process.
4:15:25
And yet a jungle primary system would severely undermine grassroots voters' abilities to engage in elections and in the process.
4:15:32
First, in a ranked choice voting top two or top four system, there is no party primary.
4:15:38
Ultimately, it undermines the very logic for primaries at all.
4:15:42
Every candidate, regardless of party or values, appears on one crowded ballot.
4:15:46
That forces grassroots candidates to compete in massive, often expansive fields, splitting the vote and making it harder for community backed candidates to break through.
4:15:55
Second, jungle primaries amplify the power of money over organizing.
4:15:59
In a high candidate, low information race, as you've heard, without party queues, the winners are often those with the biggest war chests, the most name recognition, or wealthy interest.
4:16:09
Our generation can't compete with that kind of money.
4:16:12
Our strength is people powered campaigns that build trust over time, not 6 figure media buys and insider endorsements.
4:16:18
Jungle primaries put movement candidates at a severe disadvantage, tilting the playing field toward the very institutions organizing seeking seeks to challenge.
4:16:28
Third, this comes after historic youth turnout in the most recent primary, specifically among those aged 18 to 29, where 25% of voters were zero prime voters and on the hottest day in fifteen years.
4:16:40
This system changes a system to favor billionaires, not youth.
4:16:45
One of the most powerful aspects of our current system is that it gives our generation clear political targets, party primaries where our voters and community organizers can make a real difference.
4:16:57
That's how coalitions of youth have shifted city policy.
4:17:01
Jungle primaries scramble those lines, making electoral pathways murky and take power away from a generation that has only recently begun to claim it.
4:17:10
Let's be clear.
4:17:11
This proposal is not about empowering young voters.
4:17:14
It's about disempowering the people who have learned to organize.
4:17:18
It's about disempowering young voters who have showed up in historic numbers in the most recent primary.
4:17:23
For these reasons, I urge you to join with our generation with labor and grassroots groups from the carpenters to DSA and reject any attempt to implement a jungle primary system in New York City.
4:17:34
It's a step back for grassroots power for our generation and for democracy.
4:17:38
Thank you.
Richard R. Buery Jr.
4:17:39
Thank you so much.
4:17:39
Any further any questions for this panel?
4:17:42
No.