What's happening
This bill proposes amending the New York Constitution to establish a top-two open primary system for state and congressional elections.
Why it matters
Expands primary participation. By allowing all voters, regardless of party affiliation, to participate in a single primary for state and congressional offices, this amendment could engage a broader segment of the electorate and potentially reduce the influence of partisan extremes.
Limits party control over nominations. Political parties would no longer have exclusive control over who advances to the general election; instead, only the top two vote-getters in the primary—regardless of party—could appear on the general election ballot. This could create opportunities for independents or minor party candidates.
Changes campaign dynamics. Candidates may need to appeal to a wider range of voters in the primary, possibly leading to more moderate platforms and coalition-building, rather than focusing solely on their party’s base.
Preserves party committee autonomy. While party committees lose the right to guarantee their nominee a spot in the general election, they still retain the ability to endorse, support, or oppose candidates, and will continue to hold their own internal (partisan) committee elections.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Open Primaries for All
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to election law
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to election law
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7934
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
May 28, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to article 2 of the constitution, in relation to the establishment of an open primary system for all state and congressional elections
Section 1. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That article 2 of the constitution be amended by adding a new section 10 to read as follows:
§ 10. (a) A voter-nomination primary election shall be conducted to select the candidates for congressional and state elective offices. All voters may vote at a voter-nominated primary election for any candidate for congressional and state elective office without regard to the political party preference disclosed by the candidate or the voter, provided that the voter is otherwise qualified to vote for candidates for the office in question. The candidates who are the top two vote-getters at a voter-nominated primary election for a congressional or state elective office shall, regardless of party preference, compete in the ensuing general election.
(b) The Legislature shall provide that candidates for such congressional and state offices shall be placed on the ballot for voter-nominated primary election by petition in the manner provided by statute. A candidate for a congressional or state elective office may have his or her political party preference, or lack of political party preference, indicated upon the ballot for the office in the manner provided by statute. A political party or party committee shall not nominate a candidate for any congressional or state elective office at the voter-nominated primary. This subdivision shall not be interpreted to prohibit a political party of party committee from endorsing, supporting, or opposing any candidate for a congressional or state elective office. A political party or party committee shall not have the right to have its preferred candidate participate in the general election for a voter-nominated
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD89136-01-9
A. 7934 2
office other than a candidate who is one of the two highest vote-getters at the primary election, as provided in subdivision (a) of this section.
(c) The Legislature shall provide for partisan elections for political party and party committees.
§ 2. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That the foregoing amendments be referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the next succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.