THE
PLAN
All Voters-All Candidates: 1 Ballot
All candidates, from all parties, are on the same primary election ballot.
Their party affiliation is listed next to their name.
All registered voters can vote.
Voters rank their preferred candidates using the existing ranked choice voting system.
“Just like in Special Elections that NYC already has.”
“It makes the system fair to all voters and candidates. Everyone is treated the same.”
Top Vote-getters Move On
The candidates with the most votes move on to the General Election.
NYC Open Primaries prefers that the Top 5 vote-getters move on but also supports the Top 2, Top 3, or Top 4.
An independent New York City Charter Revision Commission is currently studying each of these options.
“The cream rises to the top and ensures a diversity of candidates.”
Majority Rules
In a Top 2 system, the winner of the General Election is determined by receiving a simple majority of votes.
In a Top 3, Top 4, or Top 5 system, the winner is determined by receiving a majority of voters using ranked choice voting.
“RCV moves from the Primary to the General Election. It works just like Special Elections.”
Join the Team
“We talk about having fair elections, yet 35% of the citizens in NYC have no meaningful say in our elections.”
— Yatin Chu, President, Asian Wave Alliance