06/23/2026
Today, New York holds its primary elections — and hundreds of thousands of registered party members are heading to the polls.
But millions of independent New Yorkers? They’re sitting this one out.
New York has a closed primary system. If you’re not registered with a party, you cannot vote in today’s races — no matter how long you’ve lived here, paid taxes, or served your community.
One New York voter described asking for a provisional ballot anyway, knowing it won’t count — just to make his presence known.
“I want them to know that I am there,” he said, “even though basically my vote is thrown into the trash.” ()
New York is a closed primary state, meaning independent and unaffiliated voters simply cannot participate unless they re-register with a party before the deadline.
This isn’t an isolated case. It’s the system — and it’s why electoral reform matters.
