Unite NY In the News: New Yorkers Say Albany is Broken — and Want Open Primaries and Fairer Ballot Access
IVN wrote about Unite NY's latest Voter Empowerment Index:
According to the group’s July 2026 Voter Empowerment Index, roughly 6 in 10 registered voters believe New York’s political system is unhealthy. An even larger majority believes the people running the state are not listening:
- 71% of voters do not believe their vote affects who ultimately runs New York, while
- 67% said the state government does not listen to people like them.
These figures show an electorate that is not just frustrated with the state of representation in New York. It shows a voting population that wants the rules changed.
In fact, two-thirds of New Yorkers surveyed support at least some change to how voting works in the state. Meanwhile, 68% want changes to the rules governing who can run for office.
“New Yorkers understand that a healthy democracy requires having meaningful choices at the ballot box,” said Unite NY Executive Director Anthony Thomas.
Read the full article here.
