To the detriment of more than a million of its citizens, New York City is one of few big American cities with closed primaries, limiting who can vote for mayor and other local offices in the election that counts the most.

New Yorkers must be allowed a choice to instituting open primaries — also called nonpartisan elections — and a petition drive by the government reform group Unite NY will make that referendum happen either this November or next fall. That is something to celebrate. Thank you, Unite NY.

There is overwhelming strong public support for letting all registered voters, regardless of party, to vote in the June primaries for City Council, borough president and the three citywide offices mayor, public advocate and comptroller. That is how it works in L.A. and Chicago and Boston and down the line. New York........

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