The Brian Lehrer Show Charter Revision Ideas
May 12, 2025
Richard Buery, CEO of Robin Hood and chair of Mayor Adams' Charter Revision Commission, discusses potential changes to New York City's electoral system. He highlights a shift from ranked choice voting to nonpartisan open primaries, aiming to boost voter engagement and increase turnout in off-year mayoral elections. Buery also addresses the housing crisis, advocating for better balance between development needs and community concerns, while exploring how charter revisions could assist financially struggling nonprofits. It's a compelling look at how structural changes could impact NYC's future.
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Open Primaries and Ranked Choice Voting
- An open primary would allow all candidates to compete in one primary regardless of party affiliation.
- Voters could rank their choices and the top candidates would advance to the general election, increasing participation.
Low Turnout Sparks Open Primary Idea
- New York City has persistently low voter turnout, often less than 30%.
- Open primaries might engage more voters, especially independents who currently cannot vote in party primaries.
Open Primaries Include Independents
- Open primaries with ranked choice voting let independent voters participate in elections.
- They help reduce party control and are supported by good government groups like Citizens Union and the Brennan Center.