Include Independent Candidate Adolfo Carrión in Mayoral Debate on October 15th
Include Independent Candidate Adolfo Carrión in Mayoral Debate on October 15th
The Issue
There are one million voters in New York City who were shut out of this year’s primary elections for mayor simply because they decided not to register as Democrats or Republicans. These voters were forced to sit on the sidelines. They waited anxiously to see who their choices were for mayor – Democrat, Republican or Independent. After the distraction of more scandals and intra-party political maneuvering they waited for the opportunity to hear and learn who the candidates are, what they stand for, and their vision for New York City.
On Tuesday, October 15, 2013, WABC Channel 7, along with Noticias Univision 41, the Daily News and the NYC League of Women Voters, is sponsoring the first of three general election debates in the NYC mayor’s race. These four organizations have decided to exclude Adolfo Carrion, one of the major party candidates from this debate. Adolfo Carrion is the Independence Party mayoral nominee – the first candidate to make the general election ballot on a major party line.
This is a grave disservice to the people of New York – especially 1 million independent-minded city voters. When three of the most influential media outlets in New York City, along with the premiere organization dedicated to expanding access and participation in the electoral process arbitrarily decide to shut-out a major party candidate from the public discussion, something is very wrong with our politics.
Their misguided decision comes on the same day Gallup released a poll showing record numbers of Americans are dissatisfied with the Democrat and Republican Parties and now favor the rise of a third party. Confidence in government is at a record low. Voter participation is at its lowest rate in this city since 1969.
I am urging you to contact the sponsors of this debate today, and let them know that you want to hear all three of the major candidates, so come November 5thNew Yorkers can make an informed decision. Time is short. Do not allow these organizations to decide how much we learn about the three people running for the most important job in this city. Stand up and let your voice be heard.
The Issue
There are one million voters in New York City who were shut out of this year’s primary elections for mayor simply because they decided not to register as Democrats or Republicans. These voters were forced to sit on the sidelines. They waited anxiously to see who their choices were for mayor – Democrat, Republican or Independent. After the distraction of more scandals and intra-party political maneuvering they waited for the opportunity to hear and learn who the candidates are, what they stand for, and their vision for New York City.
On Tuesday, October 15, 2013, WABC Channel 7, along with Noticias Univision 41, the Daily News and the NYC League of Women Voters, is sponsoring the first of three general election debates in the NYC mayor’s race. These four organizations have decided to exclude Adolfo Carrion, one of the major party candidates from this debate. Adolfo Carrion is the Independence Party mayoral nominee – the first candidate to make the general election ballot on a major party line.
This is a grave disservice to the people of New York – especially 1 million independent-minded city voters. When three of the most influential media outlets in New York City, along with the premiere organization dedicated to expanding access and participation in the electoral process arbitrarily decide to shut-out a major party candidate from the public discussion, something is very wrong with our politics.
Their misguided decision comes on the same day Gallup released a poll showing record numbers of Americans are dissatisfied with the Democrat and Republican Parties and now favor the rise of a third party. Confidence in government is at a record low. Voter participation is at its lowest rate in this city since 1969.
I am urging you to contact the sponsors of this debate today, and let them know that you want to hear all three of the major candidates, so come November 5thNew Yorkers can make an informed decision. Time is short. Do not allow these organizations to decide how much we learn about the three people running for the most important job in this city. Stand up and let your voice be heard.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on October 11, 2013