Plan to End City (NYC) Primaries Moves Ahead

[goobergunch]

By JONATHAN P. HICKS

After months of hearings, public testimony and debate, the Charter Revision Commission appointed by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg is expected this evening to approve the details of a referendum that, if passed by voters, would end political primaries and establish nonpartisan elections in New York City.

Under the measure to be voted on this evening, there would be no municipal party primaries. Instead, there would be a September election in which anyone with the requisite number of signatures would run. The two candidates with the highest number of votes would then face each other in a general election in November.

A majority of the 11 members of the panel is expected to approve the measure, whose language was put together in nearly round-the-clock conferences and drafting sessions by the staff of the commission over the weekend. New York City voters would vote on the measure in a referendum in the general election this November.

With the approval of the measure likely to come tonight, the language that will be placed before voters now becomes of particular importance to leaders on both sides of the argument over whether to hold nonpartisan elections. While the precise text of the ballot proposal was not completely worked out last night, officials close to the discussions said voters would be asked to approve a September election that would be open to all voters regardless of party membership.

more...http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/25/nyregion/25COUN.html

[davidinalameda]

1. run off elections suck!!!!!!!!!!!!

that's the way they do it in San Francisco--there are no primary elections with all the city elections being officially non-partisan.

The plus side is that you usually have a Democrat in the seat, but on the negative side, you split the party between the more liberal and the more moderate wings

I much prefer primary elections. The run-off elections also screw the third party candidates.

[aquart]

2. Jesus. More egocentric millionaires on the ballot.

Does anyone have a clue how icky this is?

What it comes down to, is privatizing elections.

No more party workers, just whoever the millionaire hires to get out the vote.

Non-partisan means Vote for Me and I Owe You Nothing.