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 Applauds Federal Decision to Appoint Independent Leadership at Rikers
May 13, 2025 – Citizens Union has released the following statement from Director of Public Policy Ben Weinberg in response to judge Laura Taylor Swain ordering an independent outside official take control of Rikers Island from the City of New York.
Citizens Union Celebrates Unanimous State Appellate Court Ruling Affirming Law Consolidating Local Elections with Even-Numbered Years
May 8, 2025 – Citizens Union has issued the following statement from Board Chairman John Avlon celebrating a unanimous New York State Appellate Court ruling affirming the constitutionality of a 2023 state law moving many county and town elections to even-numbered years, overturning a state Supreme Court decision in October that invalidated the law.
Citizens Union Applauds Charter Revision Commission for Advancing Open Primaries and Even Year Elections
April 30, 2025 – Citizens Union has issued the following statement from Board Chair John Avlon applauding the Charter Revision Commission for including two transformative reforms in their report issued today: moving New York City elections to even-numbered years and implementing a top-two open primary system. These long-standing priorities of Citizens Union represent important steps toward a more inclusive, participatory, and representative local democracy.
Citizens Union Endorses Republican Frank Morano in Staten Island City Council Special Election
April 10, 2025 – Citizens Union, New York’s pre-eminent nonpartisan good government organization, announced its endorsement of Republican Frank Morano in the special election for New York City Council District 51, representing Staten Island’s South Shore communities. The seat was vacated earlier this year by former Council Member Joe Borelli.
Citizens Union Releases Report Proposing Mechanism for Removing the New York City Mayor for Misconduct
April 9, 2025 – Citizens Union today released a new report outlining a proposal to establish a clear, fair, and effective process for removing a New York City mayor from office for misconduct. Recent crises at City Hall have exposed significant gaps in the City Charter when it comes to holding the mayor accountable – New York City is one of the only large cities in the U.S. without a local mechanism to remove a mayor for misconduct.
Citizens Union Statement on Dismissal of Charges Against Mayor Adams
April 2, 2025 – Citizens Union released the following statement from Chairman John Avlon in response to dismissal of corruption charges against Mayor Eric Adams
Citizens Union Applauds City Council for Passing Legislation to Reform Sidewalk Shed Rules
March 20, 2025 – Citizens Union released the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum, applauding the New York City Council for passing legislation to address the city’s long-standing sidewalk shed problem. Citizens Union’s 2023 report, Sidewalk Shed Reform in New York City, highlighted how these structures, originally intended as temporary safety measures, have become permanent fixtures
Citizens Union Applauds Passage of City Council Resolution Urging State to Reform Charter Revision Process
March 12, 2025 – Citizens Union issued the following statement on the City Council’s passage of Reso. 740-2025 (Restler), which urges the State Legislature to pass S590 (Krueger)/A3665 (Simone), state legislation that would prevent mayors from blocking ballot questions by establishing their own charter revision commission and requiring minimum timeframes for charter commissions.
Citizens Union Calls on Charter Revision Commissions to Implement Bold Reforms to Strengthen Democracy and Government Accountability
February 24, 2025 – Citizens Union today released a new report urging both New York City Charter Revision Commissions to take decisive action to strengthen democracy and enhance government accountability. The report, published ahead of Citizens Union’s testimony before the Mayoral Commission this evening, calls for comprehensive reforms, including establishing a process to remove mayors for misconduct, implementing top-two open primary elections, moving city elections to even-numbered years, and expanding the powers and independence of the Conflicts of Interest Board (COIB).