Voters went to the primary polls in June believing that their votes mattered. In Brooklyn, they elected a new majority of reform-minded district leaders, the local officials who determine the future of the Brooklyn Democratic Party and elect the party chair later this month.

Then the party chair changed the rules.

Party Chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn introduced rules to add 48 new voting members — appointed by her — to the body that votes on her role. On Aug. 25 the outgoing district leaders, including eight who just lost their positions in June, voted to approve these in a closely divided, closed-door vote, and behind covered windows.

Bichotte Hermelyn claims the expansion is about inclusion. But she has had six years of leadership to propose inclusive policies.

Reform cannot mean changing the rules when an incumbent is about to........

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