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Press Release: New York Statewide Poll Finds Bipartisan Support for Open Primaries and Expanded Ballot Access

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, July 28, 2026

New York Statewide Poll Finds Bipartisan Support for Open Primaries and Expanded Ballot Access

LITTLE FALLS, N.Y. — New Yorkers are dissatisfied with the state’s political system, but broad majorities support key reforms including open primaries and expanded ballot access, according to Unite NY’s July 2026 Voter Empowerment Index released today.

Nearly 6 in 10 registered voters believe New York’s political system is unhealthy. 71% say their vote does not affect who ultimately runs the state, while 67% believe state government does not listen to people like them.

That dissatisfaction comes with a clear appetite for change. Two-thirds of New Yorkers want at least some change to how voting works, and 68% want changes to the rules governing who can run for office.

The VEI poll found support for election reforms including:

  • Open primaries: Two-thirds of voters support allowing unaffiliated voters to participate in primary elections. Support crosses party lines, including 62% of registered Democrats, 64% of registered Republicans and 77% of unaffiliated voters.

  • Expanded ballot access: 82% believe independent candidates should face the same or lower petition-signature requirements as major-party candidates. Two-thirds support ballot access reform more broadly.

  • Ranked-choice voting: Slightly more than 4 in 10 voters consider ranked-choice voting beneficial for both local and statewide elections.

“New Yorkers understand that a healthy democracy requires having meaningful choices at the ballot box,” said Anthony Thomas, executive director of Unite NY. “They want independents to have a voice in taxpayer-funded primary elections, qualified candidates to have a fair opportunity to reach the ballot and elections that encourage candidates to appeal to the broader community.”

The July 2026 survey included 1,667 registered voters across New York state.

For more information about Unite NY’s reform agenda and to view the complete findings, visit the Unite NY Voter Empowerment Index.

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Media Contact:
Ellie Krasne
Communications Advisor, Unite NY
ekrasne@uniteny.org