Empowering New Yorkers with More Voices, More Choices

Advocating for Democracy Reform to Increase Voter Participation 

Unite NY is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization advocating for democracy reform to fix a system in New York that has left far too many voters feeling like their voice doesn’t matter. Open Primaries nonprofit organization advocating for open and nonpartisan primary systems. 

🗳️ Let Independents Vote 🗳️

🔸 1 in 4 New York voters barred from primaries: Due to backwards and exclusionary laws, more than 3.4 million independent voters in New York are currently prohibited from participating in the primary elections where most candidate decisions are made.

🔸 This is an outlier: New York is one of only 12 states with completely closed primaries.  Most states offer some path for independents to vote.  

🔸 This is a blanket prohibition: No matter if you are a veteran who fought for our freedom or just a first time voter, if you haven’t joined a Party, you’re prohibited from voting in the primary elections where most candidates are selected.

🔸 It’s undemocratic: historically, around 15% of eligible voters participate in these closed primaries, allowing that small fraction to decide our elections.

New York needs to open its primaries: New Yorkers across the state want to see this unfair prohibition lifted. That’s why Unite NY is working with Open Primaries to enable fairer elections in New York State.