Charter Revision Commission wrongly shies away from open primaries

Yesterday, at the last meeting of the Charter Revision Commission, President Rich Buery said that even if it was not on the agenda when the 13 -member panel was formed by Mayor Adams in December, open primaries (also called non -partisan elections) “was the subject on which we received the most testimonies”.

But despite this and despite the reform to move on to the same fair voting system used by 85% of American cities (including the next two largest, and Chicago) and despite the feelings of the large majority of the Commission in favor of the open primaries, voters will have no questions on this subject during their general electoral bulletins of November this year.

Instead, New Yorkers will be questioned about question 5, “amendment proposed by the Charter: to move the local elections to the years of presidential election to increase the participation of voters”: meaning the elections for the mayor, the public defender, the controller, the president of the district and the municipal council stand at the same time as the American president?

But even if each eligible New York is to vote and each voter registered is launching a ballot this fall and each ballot shows a “yes” to question 5, these millions of votes are not even a dead letter.

You see, the students, the constitution of the bald and heavy and poorly outdated state explicitly requires that the elections of the city must take place in the odd years.

We have long recommended rationalizing the Constitution by bringing together a constitutional state convention. The last vote to approve such an idiot was 2017 and we have strongly urged a voting yes (as we did in 1997), but the political parties and the special interests have joined forces to throw the measure and this was crushed by voters from 83% to 17%. The next vote on the opportunity to meet or not a constitutional convention will be carried out in 2037. Put us as yes for that in a dozen years.

In the absence of a constitutional agreement, the Legislative Assembly, controlled by the party’s bosses, must approve an amendment to the Constitution in order to move the calendar of local elections. As if it would ever happen, not.

Brava to Diane Savino for having voted not on this nothingness which will only deceive the voters to believe that they affect the change.

However, on the big problem, the non -partisan elections, which are left from the ballot, Buery said: “I remain personally convinced that it is time to open our primary system to independent voters.”

Sharon Greenberger said that she was “personally committed” to the same thing.

Anita Laremont said that “time has come” for open primaries.

Lisette Nieves is also there, calling herself as a “loyal supporter of unconvilled voters”.

Julie Samuels spoke of her “regret to empower 1 million voters”.

Savino was “deeply disappointed” to leave aside 1.1 million voters “.

Kathy Wylde was “deeply disappointed” not to vote for open primaries.

Shams Dabaron said: “I want to apologize to my children” who are registered independents and have urged a truly democratic voting system.

Valerie White said that she was disappointed and that he “had to be changes” and wanted more discussion.

Grace Bonilla also wanted more discussions.

Only three on the panel, Leila Bozorg, Anthony Richardson and Carl Weisbrod, did not mention open primaries.

According to our count, which is eight in favor of open primaries, two who want more discussions and three which were silent. Eight out of 13 is 62%, so even if they praet the widening of democracy and leaving the votes of everyone to count, the Commission did not even respect democracy and the majority regime among its own members.

Savino, supported by Wylde, wants Adams to appoint a new commission to focus on elections and democracy. He should do it and find people who have the courage of their convictions.