February 20, 2026

Unite NY’s VEI released today finds that while most New Yorkers believe the state’s political system is unhealthy, a majority support specific changes aimed at increasing voter choice and accountability.

According to the February 2026 Voter Empowerment Index (VEI), 60% of respondents say New York’s political system is not healthy, compared with 36% who say it is healthy. At the same time, 78% say the system’s problems are at least somewhat fixable, while 22% believe they are not.

The poll shows strong bipartisan support for reforms:

  • 60% of respondents think New York’s political system is not healthy (36% say it is healthy).
  • 78% of respondents think that New York’s political system problems are fixable (22% say they are not).
  • Reform has strong, bipartisan support.
    • 82% support term limits on statewide elected officials (6% oppose), 81% support term limits for members of the legislature (7% oppose);
    • 59% support non partisan or open primaries (22% oppose)
    • 44% support ranked choice voting; (31% oppose)
    • 74% support giving citizens the right to place issues directly on the ballot (10% oppose)

“These findings show that New Yorkers are frustrated, but optimistic about the possibility of reform,” said Anthony Thomas, executive director of Unite NY. “When more than four in five voters support term limits and nearly eight in ten believe reform is possible, that is a clear signal that voters want a political system that is more representative and  responsive to the people it serves.”

The February 2026 VEI reflects Unite NY’s five pillars of reform: term limits, open primaries, ranked choice voting, citizen ballot initiatives and expanded ballot access. Voters across New York expressed support for each of these measures.

The findings come as the 2026 legislative session in Albany sees renewed debate over election administration and voter participation in New York

Unite NY’s VEI, an independent, nonpartisan poll launched in 2022 to track voter sentiment on political reforms, has become a trusted resource for gauging how everyday New Yorkers feel about democracy across the Empire State. 

The February 2026 VEI surveyed 1,411 registered voters statewide from Jan. 5-8. The poll has a margin of error of 2.8%.

For more information on Unite NY’s reform agenda and to view the full VEI report, Unite NY Voter Empowerment Index.

Anthony Thomas,  Executive Director
[email protected]

About Unite NY
Unite NY is an organization dedicated to giving voters more voice and more choice in New York elections. By advancing common-sense reforms like open primaries, term limits, and ballot initiatives, Unite NY seeks to build a stronger, fairer, and more accountable democracy for all New Yorkers.