Res. No. 270
Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.8604/A. 9310, moving the presidential primary to the first Tuesday in March
By Council Members J. Sanchez, Louis, Thomas-Henry, Nurse and Schulman
Whereas, The first Tuesday in March of a presidential election year is often referred to as Super Tuesday; and
Whereas, California and Texas, along with more than a dozen other states, hold their presidential primaries on Super Tuesday; and
Whereas, Almost two-thirds of the delegates to the party nominating conventions are chosen on Super Tuesday; and
Whereas, New York State has more primary delegates, both Democratic and Republican, than almost any other state; and
Whereas, New York state traditionally holds its presidential primaries after Super Tuesday; and
Whereas, New York’s presidential primary elections are held on a separate date from any other primary elections; and
Whereas, Presidential primary elections are often decided before New Yorkers even have a chance to vote; and
Whereas, The states that vote early in the presidential nominating process typically play a larger role in determining their party’s presidential nominee; and
Whereas, Due the lateness of New York’s presidential primaries, New York City voters do not typically have a significant impact on choosing presidential candidates; and
Whereas, Presidential candidates pay more frequent visits to the places that play a larger role in determining their party’s presidential nominee; and
Whereas, Presidential candidates spend more money in places that play a larger role in determining their party’s presidential nominee; and
Whereas, Since New York voters do not have play a large role in the nomination contest, residential primary candidates mostly come to New York to meet with donors, and not voters; and
Whereas, Increasing New York’s role in the presidential nomination process would encourage candidates to campaign in New York City more frequently, which could boost awareness and turnout for the presidential primaries; and
Whereas, S.8604, introduced in the New York State Senate by James Skoufis and passed in the Senate, and its companion bill A.9310 introduced by Assembly Member Landon Dais and pending the New York State Assembly, would move New York State’s presidential primaries to the first Tuesday in March starting in 2028; and
Whereas, As one of the states with the largest number of primary delegates, New York deserves to have more influence in presidential primaries; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.8604/A. 9310, moving the presidential primary to the first Tuesday in March
LS #21347
2/4/26
EHC