FORWARD PARTY NEW YORK ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR NYC ELECTION REFORM BILL

Legislation Would Establish Nonpartisan Ranked Choice Elections for All New York City Municipal Offices

Forward Party New York today announced its support for Int. No. 0314-2026, legislation introduced by New York City Council Member Frank Morano on January 29, 2026, that would require nonpartisan ranked choice elections for all New York City municipal offices, including mayor, public advocate, borough president, and City Council. The bill already has bipartisan support, with co-sponsors including a Democrat and a Republican on the City Council.

Under the bill, all elections for city office would be conducted as nonpartisan general elections, the same model already used for NYC special elections, with candidates competing on a single ballot using ranked choice voting and without party labels. The legislation would take effect only after approval by a majority of New York City voters through a citywide ballot referendum.

New York City is one of only a handful of major American cities still using partisan elections, and one of the largest. City government exists to serve the community, not a party. 

"Most New York City elections are decided before most New Yorkers ever get to vote. Closed party primaries with low turnout pick the winners, and the general election is a formality. Int. No. 1515 would change that, requiring nonpartisan ranked choice elections for all city offices so every voter has a say in every race. City government exists to serve the community, not a party, and this is exactly the kind of structural reform that makes that possible. Forward Party New York is proud to support this bill." —Forward Party New York

When candidates must earn support from the broadest possible coalition of voters rather than just a partisan base, the incentives change and so do the outcomes. A record 45% of Americans now identify as political independents (Gallup, 2025), yet the current system leaves a growing share of New York City voters on the sidelines of the races that matter most.

Forward Party New York calls on the New York City Council to advance this bill and let New Yorkers decide who represents them.

About Forward Party New York

Forward Party New York is a chapter of the national Forward Party, putting power back in the hands of voters through real alternatives to the two-party system and election reform. For more information, visit forwardparty.com.