One way to drive change is to show policy makers clear numbers on how voters feel. That’s why in 2022, Unite NY launched the Voter Empowerment Index (VEI) to provide independent polling to track voter sentiment on various reforms. Since then, UNY and the VEI have become a go-to resource for input on independent voters and the electorate’s views on reform.
Volume 12: September 2025
New York citizens continue to express frustration with state government, but strong majorities remain committed to common-sense reforms that would give them more voice and more choices in elections, according to Unite NY’s latest VEI.
The September 2025 VEI shows support for Unite NY’s reform priorities, including term limits, open primaries, ranked choice voting, citizen ballot initiatives, and better ballot access.
Among the key findings:
- 67% of respondents think state leaders are not prioritizing their top issues (32% say they are).
- 66% think that New York’s political system is “not healthy” (32% say it is healthy)
- 71% of respondents think that New York’s political system problems are fixable (21% say they are not).
-
Reform has strong, bipartisan support.
- 84% support term limits on statewide elected officials (6% oppose), 84% support term limits for members of the legislature (7% oppose);
- 58% support non partisan or open primaries (29% oppose)
- 44% support ranked choice voting; (35% oppose)
- 69% support giving citizens the right to place issues directly on the ballot through a petition process (13% oppose)
Check out the full presentation here. Crosstabs and details may be available upon request.
Previous VEIs:
Do you like this page?