Opinion: Don’t let NYC botch our elections

New York City finally got something right when it comes to elections – and now, the folks on the Charter Revision Commission are looking for new ways to mess it up.

Earlier this year, I was elected to the City Council in a special election that was clean, competitive, and – believe it or not – fair. No party labels. No backroom deals. Just a bunch of candidates competing based on ideas, character and their record of service. The voters decided. The process worked. And here’s the kicker – it worked because we used nonpartisan ranked choice voting.

It’s about time we stopped treating that as the exception and made it the rule.

For two decades, I’ve testified before every Charter Revision Commission this city has had, calling for nonpartisan elections with ranked choice voting. Why? Because this isn’t about politics – it’s about basic fairness. It’s about a city where elections are for the people, not the political machines.

Unfortunately, the Commission’s latest report reads like they spent more time watching California than listening to New Yorkers. They’re floating something they call an “open primary,” but let me channel my inner George Carlin here: words matter.

What they’re really talking about isn’t an open primary at all. It’s the infamous “Top Two” system that’s been wreaking havoc in California for over a decade. That’s where every candidate runs on the same ballot, and only the top two finishers move on to the general election – regardless of party. Sounds simple. In reality? It’s a disaster.

In California, this system has led to deep-blue districts where voters are forced to choose between two Republicans – or solidly Republican areas where the final choice is between two Democrats. Independents, minor parties, and anyone outside the political establishment? Completely shut out.

We don’t need that nonsense in New York City. We already have enough dysfunction without importing California’s broken election model.

Nonpartisan ranked choice voting – the system that elected me – is the gold standard for local democracy. San Francisco uses it. Minneapolis uses it. Oakland, Salt Lake City – the list goes on. And beyond that, every major American city with over a million people – except Philadelphia – runs nonpartisan elections. You want to be more like Philly? Be my guest. But maybe take a look at how that’s going first.

Nonpartisan elections focus campaigns on people, not parties. They reduce toxic partisanship, empower independents and restore the conversation to what actually matters: competence, leadership and trust. And ranked choice voting ensures that winners have broad support – no more squeaking into office with 22% of the vote while the majority splits their ballots.

It’s common sense. It’s already working here. But instead of building on that success, the Commission is cooking up ways to confuse voters and tinker with the rules.

They’re also pushing another so-called “reform” – moving our city elections to even-numbered years to coincide with presidential races. Supposedly, that will boost turnout. But here’s the thing – higher turnout doesn’t automatically mean better elections.

What it will mean is local issues getting drowned out by the national circus. Instead of asking candidates about potholes, property taxes or public safety, we’ll be debating Social Security, foreign wars and who said what on CNN. You think City Council races are about local problems now? Just wait until they’re overshadowed by the presidential slugfest.

And let’s not pretend our current system is some turnout wasteland. The recent Democratic primary for mayor drew more voters than we’ve seen in decades.

The key to higher turnout isn’t syncing our elections with national campaigns – it’s making local races competitive, accessible and free from the grip of party bosses.

And the best way to do that? Simple. Make every municipal election a nonpartisan, single-round, ranked choice election. One ballot. One round. No costly runoffs. No confusing Top Two gimmicks. Just a clean, straightforward vote where the person with the broadest support wins.

New Yorkers are smart. If we can navigate alternate side parking rules and subway delays, we can handle ranked choice voting. We’ve already done it in special elections – and it worked. Time to trust the voters and do it across the board.

What we shouldn’t do is follow California down the rabbit hole of Top Two primaries, or let our local elections get swallowed up by national politics.

The Charter Commission has a choice: they can deliver real reform that empowers voters – or they can muddle the process with half-baked schemes that sound good but fall apart in practice. 

New Yorkers deserve better. Let’s finish the job and give this city the fair, functional, nonpartisan democracy it deserves.