New Yorkers may soon have the option to vote for local open primaries.
New York City is one of the few major American metropolitan areas that maintains the practice of closed primaries, which restricts voting in critical races such as the mayoral and city council elections to registered party members. This situation disenfranchises over a million residents who are not affiliated with any political party, raising concerns over the inclusivity of the electoral process in the nation’s largest city.
Advocates for electoral reform, led by the organization Unite NY, are spearheading efforts to introduce open primaries, also referred to as nonpartisan elections. This initiative aims to allow all registered voters, irrespective of party affiliation, to participate in the crucial June primaries for City Council, borough president, and the city’s top three offices—mayor, public advocate, and comptroller. The proposed changes align New York City with other major cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston, where inclusive primary systems are already in place.
The call for reform has gained significant traction among New Yorkers, as highlighted during discussions at the 2025 Charter Revision Commission, appointed by Mayor Eric Adams and led by Rich Buery. Public sentiment regarding open primaries was overwhelmingly positive, leading the commission to consider placing this issue on the ballot. However, political maneuvering and concerns about collateral damage to other proposals, such as expedited housing construction, led to a retraction of the primary reform suggestion.
Despite these setbacks, the majority of the commission members expressed a desire for future panels to prioritize discussions around open primaries. In a recent development, Mayor Adams appointed a new commission under first deputy mayor Randy Mastro, which proposed a nonpartisan elections system and submitted its findings to the City Clerk. This move faced complications when Mayor Mamdani invoked a state law intended to limit the Mastro group’s influence, prompting the establishment of yet another commission chaired by Patrick Gaspard.
While the Mastro commission has initiated legal proceedings to challenge the state law affecting their recommendations, the Gaspard-led group has largely dismissed the concept of nonpartisan elections, despite widespread support during public testimony. Ultimately, the efforts of Unite NY may circumvent these challenges. The organization successfully gathered over 52,000 signatures—far exceeding the 30,000 required—signifying robust public support for a referendum on open primaries.
New York City’s Municipal Home Rule provisions allow for a pathway to the ballot box, obligating the City Council to respond to collected petitions. Should the council decline to advance the measure, Unite NY plans to secure additional signatures to ensure that the issue reaches the electorate. If delayed by a mayoral Charter Revision Commission, the proposal could still appear on the November 2027 ballot.
The potential introduction of open primaries promises profound implications for democratic participation and governance in New York City, offering an opportunity for a more engaged electorate and increased transparency in the political process. The unfolding events signal a notable shift towards greater electoral inclusivity, positioning New Yorkers to make their voices heard in future elections.
