Implement ranked choice voting, and open primaries in New York

I am writing to advocate for the implementation of ranked-choice voting (RCV) and open primaries in New York State, reforms supported by a growing body of evidence demonstrating their positive impact on voter participation, representation, and political civility. New York's current closed primary system is among the most restrictive in the nation, leading to significantly low voter turnout. For example, in the 2021 mayoral primary in New York City, only 26.5% of eligible voters participated. Research consistently shows that open primaries increase voter turnout and lead to more representative electorates, particularly among unaffiliated voters and voters of color. Studies indicate that opening primaries to unaffiliated voters can increase turnout by as much as 5 percentage points and broaden the demographic and political representation of the electorate. Ranked-choice voting, already in use for NYC primary and special elections, empowers voters by allowing them to rank candidates in order of preference. This eliminates the "spoiler effect" and encourages voters to support their favored candidates without fear of "wasting" their vote. In New York City, a remarkable 96% of voters found their RCV ballot simple to complete, and 76% want to keep or expand it. RCV has been shown to increase voter participation, foster more civil campaigns as candidates seek broader appeal, and can lead to more diverse elected officials, better reflecting the communities they serve. In summary, implementing ranked-choice voting statewide and transitioning to open primaries are evidence-based reforms that will strengthen our democracy by increasing voter engagement, promoting broader representation, and encouraging more collaborative politics in New York.