ALBANY — New Yorkers are going to get extra time to decide if they want to participate in the Democratic presidential primary next year.

The state Democratic Committee adopted new rules Wednesday allowing voters, who are already enrolled with a party, to participate in the April 28 Democratic presidential primary if they switch their party affiliation at least 60 days before the vote. The deadline had previously been the general election the year before.

Voters who aren't enrolled in a party would need to switch at least 25 days before the presidential primary, which is the same deadline for New Yorkers who register to vote for the first time.

State Democratic Committee Chair Jay Jacobs, at an event Wednesday in Albany, said the past standards were a "little too onerous," and he described the new deadlines as a compromise with elements of the party who are pushing for an open primary, which would allow any registered voter to participate.

"Open primaries allow a great degree of party hopping. I come to the table with the belief that a party means something," Jacobs said. "It's an affiliation with an organized body that believes in things."

He is concerned, though, that the new timeline might also promote "party shopping" and voters will switch their enrollment again after the primary is over. To combat that potential, Jacobs is interested in legislation preventing a subsequent party change for four years.

"I recommend some significant period, and I'm comfortable with four years," he said.

The committee also officially backed the April presidential primary date, which is 10 days later than it was four years ago.

The 2020 date ensures the state will have a disproportionate share of delegates at the Democratic National Convention, as they'll get an extra 25 percent because the primary date is late in the selection process and on the same day as two neighboring states — Pennsylvania and Connecticut.

Only California, with 495 delegates, would have a larger say than New York's 327 delegates.

David.Lombardo@timesunion.com - 518.454.5427 - @poozer87