New York cancels Democratic presidential primary and takes Sanders off the ballot

On Monday the New York Board of Elections voted to remove Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders from the state’s presidential primary ballot thus canceling the state’s primary election that was scheduled in June. 

This vote comes a month after Sanders decided to suspend his presidential campaign. Even though he canceled his campaign, Sanders still wanted to remain on the ballot. 

Our campaign statement on the New York State Board of Elections decision to cancel the state’s presidential primary: pic.twitter.com/BzylNaqCaS

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) April 27, 2020

Bernie Sanders’ campaign advisor, Jeff Weaver calls this decision a “blow to American democracy” saying: “No one asked New York to cancel the election. The DNC didn’t request it. The Biden campaign didn’t request it. And our campaign communicated that we wanted to remain on the ballot.” 

According to Common Dreams, progressives were quick to point out that the move is guaranteed to harm the prospects of insurgent Democratic candidates challenging established, more conservative incumbents.

The New York Board of Elections two democrats, co-chair Douglas Kellner and commissioner Andrew Spano said their decision to cancel the primary election was made because of public health concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This makes no sense. New York’s downballot primaries are still taking place the same day, & New York recently moved to waive the excuse requirement to vote absentee & mail absentee ballot applications to every registered voter. This will dampen downballot turnout https://t.co/CGqEX96fmW

— Stephen Wolf (@PoliticsWolf) April 27, 2020

Get NationofChange in your inbox

Independent reporting every weekday. No paywall, no advertisers, no corporate owner. Free, and you can unsubscribe whenever you like.

Subscribe free