For Immediate Release
Contact: Lauren Mannerberg, lauren@anatgerstein.com, 929-553-7702
New York, NY (July 16, 2025) – Citizens Union issued the following statement from Board Chairman John Avlon in response to a statement from Richard R. Buery, Jr., Chair of the 2025 New York City Charter Revision Commission, on the Commission’s decision not to consider the question of open primaries:
“Citizens Union is deeply disappointed by the Charter Revision Commission’s decision not to advance a proposal for open primaries in New York City. This is a lost opportunity to strengthen our democracy and give all New Yorkers—especially the 1 million independent voters currently shut out of primaries— an equal voice in choosing their local leaders.
At a time when voter turnout remains stubbornly low and trust in government is damaged, open primaries offer a tried and true path to greater participation, more competitive elections, and better representation. By kicking the can down the road until after the next citywide election—despite thorough study by this and past charter revision commissions—we are only delaying progress and disenfranchising the very people our system should be working to engage. Instead, we’ve been told to wait because of partisan pressure from special interests who want to defend the closed status quo.
We respect the Commission’s deliberative process and appreciate Chair Buery’s personal support for open primaries. Moving toward even year elections is a step in the right direction. But make no mistake: not putting open primaries on the ballot in November is a lost opportunity for New York.
Citizens Union will continue to work with other civic leaders across our city to advocate for this essential reform. The urgency will only become more apparent as NYC faces a crowded general election in which it seems unlikely that any candidate will achieve majority support.
New York needs a new era of reform. New Yorkers deserved a chance to vote on this issue, which polls show has super-majority support. But the fight for more fair and open elections will go on, and we will succeed in the end because New Yorkers deserve a democracy where candidates reach out to every community from the beginning of their campaign and every voice has an equal say in determining who will lead the city.”