Citizens Union and Citizens Union Foundation are committed to reforming New York City and State government by fostering accountability, accessibility, transparency, honesty and the highest ethical standards. Always nonpartisan, since 1897, we have devoted ourselves to holding our government accountable and the enfranchisement of all New Yorkers.
Fighting for reform, fighting for New York.
Our Most Recent Press Releases.
Citizens Union Responds News that Legislature Will Reject Congressional Maps
February 26, 2024 – In 2014, voters chose to enact historic reforms to create a more independent, transparent redistricting process. Unfortunately, the Legislature has worked to undermine these reforms at every turn. Now we will likely see primary elections delayed for the second consecutive cycle.
Citizens Union Supports Disqualifying Candidates Who Engaged in Insurrection from the Ballot in New York State
January 25, 2024 – Citizens Union released a statement urging the State Legislature to create a viable mechanism for disqualifying candidates under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution. This issue has been raised in a number of states, including Colorado and Maine, that have disqualified former President Donald Trump from appearing on their state’s ballots. The New York State Board of Elections is meeting on February 6th to finalize the state’s ballot for the upcoming presidential primary election.
Citizens Union Supports Disqualifying Candidates Who Engaged in Insurrection from the Ballot in New York State
January 25, 2024 – Citizens Union released a statement urging the State Legislature to create a viable mechanism for disqualifying candidates under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution. This issue has been raised in a number of states, including Colorado and Maine, that have disqualified former President Donald Trump from appearing on their state’s ballots. The New York State Board of Elections is meeting on February 6th to finalize the state’s ballot for the upcoming presidential primary election.
Citizens Union Applauds Governor Hochul For Vetoing Legislation Weakening the State’s Public Campaign Finance System
December 27, 2023 – The bill Governor Hochul has vetoed ran counter to the goals of the landmark program. This decision means the state’s public campaign finance program will continue to amplify the voices of everyday New Yorkers.
Citizens Union Applauds Governor Hochul For Signing Legislation To Move Local Elections To Even-Numbered Years
December 22, 2023 – Citizens Union’s statement following the Governor signing into law bill S3505B (Skoufis)/A4282A (Paulin). This marks a momentous achievement in the ongoing effort to bolster civic participation in New York. Aligning local elections with high-profile races will lead to increased voter turnout, particularly among young people and people of color.
State Ethics Commission Is Constitutional Say Civic and Watchdog Groups in Amicus Brief
December 18, 2023 – Citizens Union joins six other groups in an amicus brief for consideration to the Third Department, Appellate Division of the NYS Supreme Court in Cuomo v. NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government. In sum, the brief underscores the compelling need for an independent statewide ethics commission in New York; identifies the failures of the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE); and supports the constitutionality of the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (COELIG) appointment process.
Citizens Union Responds to Court Decision Ordering Congressional District Maps Be Redrawn
December 12, 2023 –Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum after the State of New York Court of Appeals ordered that Congressional district maps be redrawn by the Independent Redistricting Commission:
Citizens Union Issues Report on the State of Sidewalk Sheds in New York City
December 12, 2023 – Citizens Union issued a report on the state of sidewalk sheds in New York City, evaluating proposals to reform the scaffolding system in New York City. There are now 9,000 active sidewalk sheds in New York City, totaling 380 miles of wood and metal boxes.
Citizens Union Analysis of the November 2023 Election Finds Significant Voter Turnout Drop in Off-Year Local Elections
November 15, 2023 – In last week’s elections, voter turnout decreased significantly across New York State, including in areas with important local races, according to an analysis from Citizens Union. The analysis compared voter turnout in key races for county and city offices in 2023 with voter turnout in overlapping areas in November 2022, finding that turnout in last year’s elections was higher by 42 percent to 169 percent.
Citizens Union Responds to the Democratic Members of the New York Independent Redistricting Commission’s Request For Public Input in Advance of the Court of Appeals Decision on Congressional Districting
October 4, 2023 – Following the Democratic members of the New York Independent Redistricting Commission requesting public input while awaiting a decision from the Court of Appeals on congressional districting by the Commission
Citizens Union Applauds Governor Hochul for Signing Legislation Strengthening Our Democracy and Protecting the Right to Vote
September 20, 2023 – Citizens Union has issued to following statement from executive director Betsy Gotbaum in response to Governor Hochul signing a package of bills aimed at strengthening our democracy and protecting and expanding voting rights