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TESTIMONY
Testimony by Zakiya Shaakir-Ansari from the Alliance for Quality Education against jungle primaries
2:53:12
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178 sec
Zakiya Shaakir-Ansari, Co-Executive Director of the Alliance for Quality Education, testifies in opposition to the proposed "jungle primary."
As an advocate for educational equity, she fears the system would diminish the influence of grassroots organizations and make it harder to elect leaders accountable to Black, brown, and low-income communities.
She argues that in a crowded, low-information race, the winners will be those with money and name recognition, not candidates rooted in their communities.
- Ansari believes the jungle primary system would silence the voices of those historically shut out of political power.
- She argues it pushes out community-rooted candidates in favor of those with the biggest war chests.
- She points to the recent mayoral election as an example of people-power overcoming a massive spending attempt by the ultra-wealthy.
- She urges the commission to protect the voice of grassroots movements and reject the proposal.
Zakiya Shaakir-Ansari
2:53:12
Good evening, commissioners.
2:53:14
My name is Zakia Shakira Ansari.
2:53:16
I'm the co executive director of the Alliance for Quality Education.
2:53:21
I am here tonight to oppose the proposed shift to a jungle primary.
2:53:25
As someone who works alongside parent leaders and other grassroots organizations, I see firsthand the power of community led organizing to make change, especially in the fight for educational equity in black, brown, and low income communities across New York City.
2:53:38
The proposed proposed jungle primary system would severely diminish the influence of grassroots organizations and would undermine our ability to elect leaders who represent and are accountable to our communities.
2:53:49
Jungle primaries claim to promote fairness, but the truth is they amplify the influence of wealthy candidates and special interests while silencing the voices of those who have been historically, shut out of political power.
2:54:02
Under this system, the top vote getters, regardless of party, advance to the general election.
2:54:07
Every candidate, regardless of party or values, appears on one crowded ballot.
2:54:12
In a high candidate, low information race with without party queues, the winners are usually those with the biggest war chest, the most named recognition, or the backing of wealthy interests.
2:54:21
Organizations like AQE built power by organizing parents, students, educators to elect leaders who prioritize fully funded equitable public schools.
2:54:30
Almost never are these candidates the ones with the biggest war chest or highest name recognition, but they they are rooted in their communities.
2:54:38
Jungle primaries would push these candidates out early and deny voters meaningful choice in the general election.
2:54:44
And party primaries are where our votes are, and organizing can make a real difference because it makes it clear who our political friends and foes are.
2:54:53
We are just coming off of the ultra wealthy flexing their 30 plus billion dollar attempt to buy our mayoral election, and we saw that the people of New York City voted the candidate they wanted in.
2:55:04
We don't get to take that from New Yorkers.
2:55:07
The black, brown, immigrant, and working class New Yorkers, communities we organize in are already facing underfunded schools over policing in classrooms and systemic neglect.
2:55:17
Now they're being told their hard fought electoral power might be weakened by a confusing, unnecessary voting system that will make it harder to get our champions into office.
2:55:27
In a time when the federal government seems to want to make democracy a thing of the past, when the ultra wealthy has shown that they don't even respect the current process we have, as reported today that they are scheming to offer another alternative because they don't like the outcome, We should be making it easier for community rooted candidates to run and win, not harder.
2:55:45
Candidates should put in the work to gain our vote because they value it, not lazily depend on name recognition in their wealth.
2:55:51
They should offer us a vision and then sell that vision to the people.
2:55:54
Knock on doors, Visit every borough and talk to the people.
2:55:58
Show up for debate.
2:55:59
And guess what?
2:56:00
The people show up.
2:56:02
I urge the commission to reject this proposal, protect the voice of grassroots movements, protect our community's right to choose leaders who reflect our values.
2:56:10
Thank you.