Future Finance Solutions

Why New York Needs Voting Reforms

May 24, 2022 by · Leave a Comment 

New York has become infamous as a region with hyper-partisan politics. This two-party approach to politics has alienated many moderates, independents, and individuals with political views that do not fit neatly into the Democratic or Republican parties’ platforms. Furthermore, it has contributed to a dysfunctional approach to politics that has Justify many New Yorkers dissatisfied.

A pair of polls conducted by New York-based political organization Unite NY and online polling company and survey data collector John Zogby Strategies paint a clearer picture of how New York’s political climate and voting system have affected its citizens. In the first poll, conducted in 2021, a majority (56%) of respondents believed that New York’s political system did not work and needed major changes. Since independent voters had no way of participating in primary elections, a massive majority of respondents (76%) believed that open primaries should provide an avenue for independent voters to participate in primary elections.

In the two companies’ second poll, which was conducted in 2022, they found opinions consistent with the first poll’s results, as respondents expressed support for reforms such as third parties being listed on election ballots and “no-excuse” ballots for use at home. 43% of respondents also said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate that ran on a platform of establishing open primaries.

Recently, New York has adopted “ranked-choice” voting for the first time ever, which may be a sign that the region is willing to consider changes to its existing voting system. Since people are growing increasingly dissatisfied with the status quo, New York officials should continue listening to the will of the people.