The clock is ticking for the Buffalo Charter Revision Commission as it scrambles to implement significant electoral reforms before critical state deadlines. The commission’s efforts to introduce ranked-choice votingsemi-open primaries and reduced ballot access requirements appear to be running out of time, potentially pushing these changes to a future referendum in 2028.
The proposed reforms, which have been successfully implemented in cities like New York City, Minneapolis, San Francisco, and Portland, Oregon, aim to democratize the electoral process in Buffalo. These changes would allow voters to participate in primaries of their choice and rank candidates by preference, potentially breaking the one-party dominance that has characterized recent elections in the city.
Time constraints and legal hurdles
The commission is facing a tight deadline to get the reforms approved and on the ballot. All voting reforms in New York must be cleared by the New York State Attorney General’s office, a process that can take up to 55 days. With the Erie County Board of Elections requiring referendum language by August 3, the commission has only 39 days to finalize and submit their proposals.
Despite the tight schedule, there is still a possibility that the commission could pass a reform to reduce the number of voter signatures required for candidates to get on the ballot. This measure does not require attorney general review and is due for a commission vote on July 8. However, even this seemingly straightforward reform faces resistance.
Disagreements and setbacks
During a recent meeting on June 24, the commission failed to reach an agreement on the specifics of ranked-choice voting and semi-open primaries. The group received draft reforms from the law firm Holtzman Vogel but ultimately voted them down due to significant discrepancies between the proposed reforms and what the commission had been discussing.
Chairman Larry Rubin, an attorney with extensive experience in municipal law, expressed his opinion that the electoral reform efforts need more time than the commission has been afforded. He proposed establishing a task force to study electoral reform with an eye on a referendum in November 2028. This task force would consist of 15 residents appointed by the mayor, comptroller, and common council members, with a budget of $200,000 and one year to complete their work.
Deputy Mayor Maria Whyte echoed Rubin’s sentiments, criticizing the Holtzman Vogel proposals for not aligning with what the commission had previously discussed. She also took issue with the firm’s political affiliations, calling it a wolf in sheep’s clothing due to its work on behalf of President Donald Trump and other conservative causes.
A glimmer of hope
Amidst the setbacks, there are still commissioners who hold out hope for implementing some reforms this year. Commissioner Joseph Trapp, a municipal attorney, expressed his desire to push the electoral reform language forward, even if it cannot be cleared in time for the November ballot. He believes that these are important issues that the public should be aware of and address.
As the commission prepares to meet again on July 8, the fate of Buffalo’s electoral reforms hangs in the balance. With time running out and disagreements persisting, the city’s voters may have to wait until 2028 to see significant changes in how their leaders are elected.
