New York Democrats approve more accessible presidential primary
ALBANY — New Yorkers are going to get extra time to decide if they want to participate in the Democratic presidential primary next year.
The state Democratic Committee adopted new rules Wednesday allowing voters, who are already enrolled with a party, to participate in the April 28 Democratic presidential primary if they switch their party affiliation at least 60 days before the vote. The deadline had previously been the general election the year before.
Voters who aren't enrolled in a party would need to switch at least 25 days before the presidential primary, which is the same deadline for New Yorkers who register to vote for the first time.
State Democratic Committee Chair Jay Jacobs, at an event Wednesday in Albany, said the past standards were a "little too onerous," and he described the new deadlines as a compromise with elements of the party who are pushing for an open primary, which would allow any registered voter to participate.
Read more: https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/New-York-Democrats-approve-more-accessible-13872876.php