NYC Charter Revision Commission seriously considering election reforms

The Charter Revision Commission convened by New York City Mayor Eric Adams is considering several election reform-related proposals, including moving city elections to even-numbered years and implementing an “open primary” system, according to several people with insight on commission discussions.

The good-government group Citizens Union is slated to deliver testimony to the commission about these issues at a public meeting in Staten Island Wednesday evening, arguing they will significantly increase voter turnout. Citizens Union is strongly in favor of moving city elections from the current odd-year schedule to an even-year cycle – thus aligning with higher-profile, higher-turnout federal and state elections. The group also supports opening the city’s closed primary system so all voters can participate. Both concepts have been brought up frequently by the public at commission meetings over the past couple of months.

“We’ve mentioned both of these issues at the last public hearing in February, but we know that there’s some interest and the commission is seriously looking at them,” said Ben Weinberg, Citizen Union’s director of public policy.

The 13-member commission, created by Adams in December, is currently holding a series of hearings across the city as it works to produce ballot proposals for voters to consider – perhaps as soon as Election Day in November. While the panel was initially intended to largely center on housing reform – and indeed this has been a focus – members have also expressed an interest in more seriously looking into election reform as the process has gone along.



https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2025/04/nyc-charter-revision-commission-seriously-considering-election-reforms/404426/?oref=csny-category-lander-featured-river