How to Weigh in on Election Changes on Your Ballot (Maybe) This Fall
New York City voters will likely have a say in more than just who they’re electing to City Hall this November.
A group of officials charged with changing the city’s charter, or governing document, recently put their suggestions to the public. The NYC Charter Revision Commission’s interim report outlined five possible ballot proposals that aim to speed up affordable housing development and expand voter participation in local elections.
The commission was convened by Mayor Eric Adams in December to review the City Charter with a particular focus on alleviating the city’s housing crisis by reforming land use procedures. The 13-member panel is also considering electoral reforms to boost voter turnout, including changing municipal election dates to align with federal and state races.
The most controversial matter that the commission floated is whether to establish open primaries for municipal elections. Currently, New York has closed primaries, which means only voters registered with a party can vote in that party’s primary. If the rule changed, voters affiliated with any party — or no party at all — could participate in local primary elections.
https://www.thecity.nyc/2025/07/11/ballot-general-election-affordable-housing-land-use/