New York state might be getting a new Democratic primary date

Sen. Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris speaks to members in the Senate Chamber earlier this month. AP Photo/Hans Pennink.

By Phineas Rueckert

New Yorkers may have to wait a little bit longer to cast their ballots in the 2020 Democratic Party primary election than they did in 2016 — nine days, to be exact. State Sen. Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, who is sponsoring a bill to change the New York primary to April 28, from April 19 four years ago, said the move would help the state net more delegates.

By moving its primary date to April 28, New York would increase its delegate count by 25 percent, to 327, Politico reported.

“It is important for New York to maximize its influence in the Presidential nominating process and this bill does just that,” Gianaris, who represents Astoria, Long Island City, and Sunnyside, said in a statement. “The selected date will increase our state’s allotment of delegates based on party rules.”

New York could share the April 28 primary date with five other states, though so far only Maryland has confirmed that date. On account of newly-implemented early voting laws, voters will be able to cast their ballots 10 days before the primary for the first time.