Independent New Yorkers Speak Out
Independent voters are the fastest growing community of voters –
In NYC, 54% of these excluded voters are people of color, and they come from every borough, every neighborhood, and every walk of life.
The momentum we see right now is the result from years of organizing.
Last year, when then Mayor Adams convened the first Charter Revision Commission, Open Primaries organized hundreds of independent voters to participate directly in the process. They came to hearings, shared their experiences, and helped make the exclusion of independent voters the number one testimony to issue before the Commission.
That forced the Commission to engage. It conducted a historic review of the city’s elections and ultimately produced recommendations and a final report that included extensive discussion of the exclusion of more than one million independent voters and the finding that NYC must act on the issue.
They also commissioned a detailed voting rights analysis of top two from former US Attorney Loretta Lynch and the top law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. Their findings? That open primaries in New York City would strengthen the ability of protected classes, including Black, Hispanic and Asian voters, to participate in the political process.
When a new Charter Revision Commission, under Mayor Mamdani, began its work this year, the movement came back big time. Some of the independent voters who had testified the year before returned, but they were joined by many, many more New Yorkers who were new to the process and new to the movement.
The result was a larger and broader group of independent voters demanding to be heard.
Read their testimonies below and signup to share your story.
Lisa Dombrow
Brooklyn
Testimony submitted to the 2026 NYC Charter Revision Commission
July 12, 2026
I was born and raised in New York City. I am an artist and educator living in Brooklyn and I have been an independent for many years. I became an independent because I don’t think any political party fully represents my views. More importantly, I have come to see both major parties as prioritizing gaining and retaining power, rather than trying to fix any of the serious problems we face in this city, state, country, and world. I should not have to belong to such a party in order to participate in the political process. No one should.
Max Bissonnette
Manhattan
Hello. Thank you to the Commission for the opportunity to testify. My name is Max Bissonnette, and I am 17 years old, which means I can’t vote. Despite this, I’ve been registered as an independent since I was 16. In fact, across America, 56% of Gen Z voters are independent (Gallup). In New York City alone, nearly half of our unaffiliated voters are Gen Z or Millennials (NYCCFB). The fact , that we don’t have open primaries , is a crisis when it comes to young people voting.
J.C. Polanco Esq., MBA
My name is J.C. Polanco. I am an attorney, professor at the University of Mount Saint Vincent and CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College, former President and Commissioner of the New York City Board of Elections, and a lifelong New Yorker. Today I am appearing in my personal capacity as an independent voter.
I appreciate the Commission’s willingness to examine how New York City conducts its elections. Regardless of where someone falls on the political spectrum, I believe one fact has become increasingly difficult to ignore: our closed primary system no longer reflects the reality of New York’s electorate. It is not progressive, and if it does not change, it will guarantee that we in NYC live in a democracy in name only.
Gene Torres
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
My name is Gene Torres. I am a professional musician and live in Bay Ridge. I have been an independent voter for over ten years. Being an independent is important to me, I am not a Democrat or a Republican. I am sorry to say that I think in many ways they act the same – they put their party first!
I am not allowed to vote in primaries. Is it a terrible injustice and feels like it is a part of voter suppression, just because I don’t want to pick one of your teams. The only thing that should matter is my right to vote and voting should not exclude any citizen.
Ed Brady
Upper East Side
My name is Ed Brady. I am a Navy veteran – I served on the USS Enterprise. Like so many military veterans, I am also a lifelong independent. In fact, 50% of American veterans are independent voters. Often we travel abroad to fight for democracy far from our shores, only to come home and find ourselves excluded in our own communities. When we lowered the age to vote from 21 to 18 so many years ago, it was because we believed as a country that if you can be sent to fight, you should be able to vote for the folks making those decisions.
Bree Doldron
New York City Charter Revision Commission, Bronx, July 1, 2026
My name is Bree Doldron. I was born and raised in Bed-Stuy, and I am here today to ask you to open our primary elections.
I’m here before you as a member of the most independent generation our country has ever seen – Gen Z. Personally, I am tired of the endless partisan gridlock, and my generation is, too. We are trapped in a rigid “Red versus Blue” binary that simply does not reflect who we are or how we live our lives. We don’t see productive arguments anymore; we just see opposition and division.
Juliana Francisco
Flatbush, Brooklyn
My name is Juliana Francisco and I am an independent voter living in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn. Thank you for the opportunity to submit written testimony.
In addition to the work this Commission is doing on government efficiency, I believe it is critically important for you to focus on opening the primaries in NYC to independent voters.
I have been an independent my whole voting life. I never felt the focus of the parties matched the needs of my family.
Alice Rydel
Manhattan
My name is Alice Rydel and I’ve been a resident in NYC for 50+ years now. I went to the commission’s public hearing scheduled to start at 5pm this evening at Riverside Church in order to urge the commission to put open primaries on the ballot for the general election, but the event started late, they announced they were taking expert opinions re the city budget, then prioritizing statements regarding the city’s infrastructure followed by people who wanted to speak on other topics and definitely ending at 8pm. Attendees were told they can submit online if they were not able to get to them, so that’s what I’m doing.
I have never been able to vote in the primaries because I’m an independent. I’m active with the Open Primaries and Let Us Vote organizations & glad there are a number of organizations working towards changing this.
Kyoko Heshiimu
I am a freelance visual artist and poet and a mother.
I support opening the primaries because I think everybody should have a voice on who gets elected. Even though I am an independent, I am registered as a Democrat so that I can vote in the primary. If you put “independent” then you can’t vote.
Allen Cox
Here we are –the Knicks and Basketball have brought our city together. Unfortunately, our politics do not. We don’t treat all our voters the same way, not everyone is in the game. You can’t tell people that we are obligated to vote given that so many leaders fought and died for the right to vote and at the same time have a system where 1.2 million folks who are independents are shut out of voting in the primaries. And that is where most decisions are made of who will be our elected officials. Malcolm X once said that American democracy is American hypocrisy. I think it is time for us to do what 85% of cities in the US do — let’s make our primaries more democratic and let independents vote.
Tony Sanchez
Brooklyn
My name is Tony Sanchez and I live in Brooklyn. I am a father of three and a public school teacher. I coach basketball and volunteer at my church and in my community. I am also a musician, producer and audio engineer.
I think open primaries are essential so that our Republic is continued. Every voice should be heard, and everyone should have a say in who is going to be put into office. The current system blocks 1.2 million New Yorkers from having a say. When we silence the voice of the people, it’s very dangerous and it’s unAmerican.
Sheryl Williams
Manhattan
Thank you Commissioners, my name is Sheryl Williams. I am here tonight because I could not vote today, Primary Day. I am denied the right to vote because I have chosen to be an Independent.
My mother passed away in 2024 at 90 years old. Born into Jim Crow–era, South Carolina. She grew up surrounded by signs that read “White Only” and “Colored.” She died hoping that her children—and all children, of every background, race, or belief—would never have to live under that kind of tyranny again.
Briana Strong
Brooklyn
My name is Briana Strong, and I stand before you today because I refuse to accept a democracy that tells more than one million New York City voters that our voices matter only after the most important decisions have already been made. I live and work in Brooklyn, where I am raising my daughter, who just turned eight years old, and I am a proud independent because I believe my vote should belong to me, not to a political party.
Open primaries are about fairness, equality, and the fundamental promise that every citizen deserves a meaningful voice in government.
Edwin Hernandez
Staten Island
My name is Edwin Hernandez. I’m all for the improvement in the procurement process with the non profit sector. As a founder and CEO of a non profit (Building Purpose) I am In support of a better, comfortable system, – also I am in support of the Department of Education improving its infrastructure to ensure fellow New Yorkers receive the finest education that they deserve
However – today I’m here to speak in regards to erecting open primary voting polls. Which is a way to improve government efficiency.
Dr. Joan Fleischman
Manhattan
I am a registered independent voter in New York, writing to urge the Commission to advance a proposal for opening primary elections to all registered voters, regardless of party affiliation.
I want to share why this matters to me personally. Last election day, I walked with my 23-year-old son to our polling station. He’s proud of his involvement in last year’s mayoral election, and I can feel his sense of political power as he cast his primary ballot. I’m proud of him too.
But I can’t vote in that primary. I’m registered as an independent.
Glen Baksh
Manhattan
My name is Glen Baksh. I have followed politics my entire life, at the city and community level. I have been involved as a voter and a supporter of grassroots efforts to improve the life of my community.
I have been a Democrat for most of my life, then I changed my status to independent. I was disappointed in how things were being done. I feel there is a lot of hate coming from the Democrats and Republicans, even hostility. We, as voters, are disrespected and the message is, it’s either their way or no way.
Gwen Lowenheim
Brooklyn
I am Gwen Lowenheim. I am very happy to be speaking directly to the NYC Charter Revision Commission. And I’m honored to contribute to the conversation on Open Primaries in the city where my grandparents immigrated, my parents raised their kids and I raised my daughter to take our democracy very seriously and vote in all elections.
And yet, I cannot. From a young age, I wondered why two political parties, both of them private entities were spoken about as interchangeable with democracy. How did that come to be? I never registered in either. And as we know, NYC has a closed primary system, which means I, along with the 1+ million others who choose not to limit ourselves to only two options that don’t represent us, cannot vote in primaries, even though our taxes pay for them. And since primaries are key to who gets elected, I’ve been alienated from the process for decades.
Jasmine Marrero
I work in construction management and am currently working on a NYCHA renovation project. I attended New York City public schools, and as a student ambassador in junior high school, I had the opportunity to travel to Europe and represent New York City.
I support opening the primaries to independent voters because I believe we should have the same right to vote in primary elections as everyone else. We deserve a voice in choosing the people who will govern us, and primary elections often determine who those leaders will be.
John Alba
Bronx and Spanish Harlem
I am a Democrat, but I support giving independents the right to vote in the primaries. I think we need to hear everybody’s voice about what’s good and what’s not. The more people who are included in the process, the more we increase the chances of finding candidates who truly represent what we want.
Opening the primaries would be beneficial to candidates and to the voters. Candidates wouldn’t be restricted to just the “party line”. People could vote for whoever they like. Opening the primaries might allow candidates to emerge who are more interested in hearing from people and supporting what they need.
Auda Vinson
My name is Auda Vinson. I live in Crown Heights. I have 3 kids, 6 grand kids. I left my job to take care of my mom. I also try to be there for the kids in the neighborhood to give them positive direction.
I support opening the primaries to independent voters because I think opening up the primaries would encourage candidates to get out and talk to more people, to go into the neighborhoods of this city. They couldn’t just stay inside, in their own little bubble. They would have to come out and face the world. I think then they would find out that people really do care and what they care about.
Heidi L.
Brooklyn
I live in Brooklyn and have lived in NY for 15 years. I am a public school teacher and teach art. I have a daughter who went through the public school systems.
I am registered as a Democrat, but I support opening the primaries to the 1.2 million independent voters in NYC. I think if the primaries were opened up then the candidates would have to speak directly to all the voters and people would be more educated on the issues. For me the main concerns are basic human survival – food security, education, housing, climate change, etc – and it feels like everything is getting worse.
Bob Marte
Queens
I support opening the primaries to independent voters because I don’t think it’s right to ban some people from voting and give preferential treatment to a particular group of voters. Independents should have the same choice as others.
I think independents as a group are more open-minded. They are people like you and me – not just the super-rich, well-connected, billionaire class. They can relate to ordinary people and they know what’s going on. It would benefit the city to have us involved in choosing the candidates who represent us.
Mike Tagariello
Manhattan, Veterans for All Voters Leaders NY
Good evening commissioners. My name is Mike Tagariello. I am a New Yorker, and I’m a volunteer on two block associations, which are vital connections to local politics for neighborhoods. I am also a veteran, a registered voter who shows up in every election I can. And I am an independent – volunteering with the nonprofit non-partisan Veterans for all Voters.
In the military, I served alongside Americans of every background. We did not ask each other what party we belonged to. We served together, and met our responsibilities together.
That is the spirit I bring here tonight.
Angel Martinez
Brooklyn
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union…”
Those opening words of the Constitution are more than an introduction. They are the foundation of American representative government. They affirm that political power originates with the people and that government derives its legitimacy from those it serves.
Ronald Harper
Bronx
My name is Ronald Harper and I live in the Bronx. I am a Marine Corps veteran, and served two tours of duty in Vietnam. While I am a registered Democrat, over 50% of my fellow veterans are independents. This makes a lot of sense to me – when we serve our country, we do not serve team red or team blue – we serve America.
When I look at candidates that is what I am looking for – people who will serve our veterans, our seniors, and our city. I do not believe any citizen in our city should be denied the right to vote because they choose to be independent of team red or team blue.
Agapito Rodriguez — “Rod”
Brooklyn
I am an independent. I want to vote for the best person, and not be chained to one party. Some candidates have good ideas, some say good things but do differently. We should have the freedom to vote for who we want.
When I went to the polls to vote I was told I couldn’t vote. I didn’t get to vote. I couldn’t believe it. I wanted to put my vote in. When I asked why, I was told because I didn’t affiliate with any party. I thought, “are you trying to handcuff me to some party.” I don’t believe it.
Dr. Jessie Fields
Manhattan
I am a Black woman and an independent voter, who grew up in the 1960s in the segregated neighborhood of “colored” South Philadelphia, where decades earlier W. E. B. Du Bois knocked on tenement doors to chronicle the hard life of the Philadelphia Negro. As a New York City doctor, I see health disparities in marginalized communities and know how important it is for all communities to be equally included in our democracy.
There are 1.2 million independent voters in New York City, almost half of them are under age 40 and 54.5% of them are voters of color.
Richard Ronner
Queens
I’m Richard Ronner, a retired psychiatric nurse practitioner, living in Astoria. I’m here tonight as an independent voter, asking you to extend equal voting rights to NYC’s 1.2 million unaffiliated voters, and allow us to vote in primaries that are currently closed to us. I’ve been an independent for over 40 years because I don’t agree with the actions and policies of the major parties. These primaries that we’re excluded from are paid for with public funds, our own tax dollars, and are very often the decisive elections determining who we send into office to represent us.
Arjuna Asad
Bronx
I am writing to ask the Commission to put open primaries on the ballot in November and let the voters decide if they support opening the primaries to independent voters.
My name is Arjuna Asad and I live in the Bronx. I am a city employee with the Administration for Children’s Services for 35 years, and did military service for 8 years.
Angel Martinez
Brooklyn
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union…”
Those opening words of the Constitution are more than an introduction. They are the foundation of American representative government. They affirm that political power originates with the people and that government derives its legitimacy from those it serves.
Yet today, millions of registered voters across the United States are prohibited from participating in publicly funded primary elections simply because they choose not to affiliate with a political party. In many jurisdictions, those primary elections—not the general election—effectively determine who will hold public office.