Statement from Citizens Union Regarding the Rejection of the 2021 Statewide Ballot Proposals
Citizens Union released the following statement in reaction to the rejection of ballot proposals 1 (Amending the Redistricting Process), 3…
Memo of Opposition to proposed legislation reducing mass-mailing blackout period before elections, October 2021
October 19, 2021 - Memorandum of Opposition to Intro. No. 0034-2018, A Local Law to amend the New York City Charter, in relation to the use of government resources during an election campaign. which would reduce the blackout period for sending official mass-mailings prior to an election
Watchdogs urge City Council to hold a meaningful confirmation hearing for Board of Elections nominee
September 21, 2021 - GOOD GOVERNMENT GROUPS ASK COUNCIL LEADERS TO VET THE NOMINEE'S EXPERIENCE AND FITNESS TO ADMINISTER ELECTIONS
Testimony before the State Senate Elections Committee on reforming the Board of Elections, September 2021
September 20, 2021 - Written Testimony to the New York State Senate Committee on Elections regarding elections administration and voting rights in New York State
Citizens Union Analysis Shows Positive Impact of Ranked Choice Voting in June Election
July 19, 2021 - Citizens Union released a detailed analysis of the June primary elections in New York City, examining the impact of Ranked Choice Voting. The analysis found that Ranked Choice Voting gave more voters a say in elections, with fewer votes “wasted” on candidates who fell well short of winning their races. The analysis also found that voter turnout increased; voters embraced Ranked Choice Voting and navigated the system well; and the number of women running, and the number of women and people of color winning increased. These benefits were seen throughout the city.
Regaining New Yorkers’ Trust After Board of Elections June Results Blunder
June 1, 2021 - The most recent blunder by the New York City Board of Elections, the latest in a long line of fiascos, has damaged the public’s confidence in this election. The June 29 reporting error was a result of a human error, and the Board of Elections has since issued corrected vote counts. The Board publicly apologized for the error and admitted that it must now “regain the trust of New Yorkers.” What should be done to regain New Yorker’s trust?
ElectNYC.org Launches, Giving NYC Voters Access to In-Depth, Nonpartisan Information About Candidates Ahead of June Primary
April 26, 2021 - Citizens Union Foundation (CUF) announced that the website ElectNYC.org, the organization’s nonpartisan voter education effort for the 2021 New York City elections, is now live. ElectNYC.org provides non-partisan and unbiased write-ups on the candidates running in the NYC primary and is the most comprehensive voter resource currently available.
Statement from Betsy Gotbaum of Citizens Union on Reports of New Yorkers being sent incorrect absentee ballots
September 29, 2020 - Citizens Union has issued the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in response to the reports of voters in New York City being sent incorrect absentee ballots: “The recently reported absentee ballot mishaps in Brooklyn and Queens have only exacerbated what was already poised to be a difficult and confusing election for voters. New York has to get this right. We know that President Trump will seize on anything he can to attempt to undermine the legitimacy of mail in ballots in New York City.”
Citizens Union Foundation Launches Nonpartisan Voter Education Campaign in Advance of the 2021 New York City Elections
July 29, 2020 - Citizens Union Foundation, New York’s preeminent nonpartisan good government group, announced the launch of ElectNYC, a nonpartisan voter education effort that will provide New Yorkers with crucial information about next year’s local New York City elections.
With Voter Registration Brought to a Standstill Due to COVID-19, Citizens Union Calls for the State to Allow Online Voter Registration in New York City
July 6, 2020 - Citizens Union has renewed its call to allow New York City residents to register to vote online in advance of the November 2020 election.
Citizens Union Applauds Governor Cuomo’s Announcement of Executive Order on Absentee Voting
April 24, 2020 - Citizens Union has issued the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum, applauding Governor Andrew Cuomo’s announcement of an executive order ordering the New York State Board of Elections to send a postage paid absentee ballot application to every registered voter in the state for the upcoming June primary election
Citizens Union Reacts to Postponement of April Primary Elections
March 28, 2020— Citizens Union has issued the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum reacting to the news that the primary elections scheduled for April 28 will be postponed until June 23:
Amidst Coronavirus Outbreak, Citizens Union Calls on Legislature and Board of Elections to Take Steps to Ensure 2020 Elections Run Smoothly
March 19, 2020 - Citizens Union has issued the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum, urging the New York State Legislature and Board of Elections to take measures to ensure the 2020 elections in New York State run smoothly, while protecting public health and reducing community transmission of COVID-19
Citizens Union’s Statement on the 2020 Elections During the COVID-19 Outbreak
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent declaration of a state of emergency in New York State and…
Love2Vote
Want to vote in the 2020 presidential primary in New York? You must be a registered voter in the party…
Voter’s Directories Archive
2016 General Election 2016 Primary Election 2016 Special Election 2014 General Election 2014 Primary Election 2013 General Election 2013 Primary…
Citizens Union Applauds Senate for Passing Automatic Voter Registration and On-Campus Polling Site Bills
January 9, 2020 - We have issued the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum applauding the Senate for passing Automatic Voter Registration and on-campus polling site bills
Citizens Union Celebrates Passing of Ranked Choice Voting and Reforms to the Civilian Complaint Review Board
November 5, 2019 - Citizens Union is pleased that New York City voters have embraced reforms to make our city elections more democratic, and increase oversight of the police department.
New York Implements Early Voting, Long Championed By Citizens Union
October 22, 2019 - Thanks to the advocacy of Citizens Union, this fall New York becomes the 38th state to implement early voting.
Citizens Union Announces Positions On Ballot Proposals For 2019 General Election
October 7, 2019 - Good Government Group Supports Ranked Choice Voting, Increasing Oversight of NYPD, Modifications to the City Budget, and Changes to Land Use Review; Opposes Proposed Changes to Ethics Rule.
Citizens Union Applauds Charter Revision Commission for Putting Ranked Choice Voting, CCRB Reforms on November Ballot
July 25, 2019 — Citizens Union, a leading good government group committed to fostering accountability, accessibility, and transparency in our government issues the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum on the proposals put on the ballot by the Charter Revision Commission.
Citizens Union Applauds Mayor de Blasio for including funding for early voting in city budget
April 29, 2019 - The recently passed reforms, including early voting, are an important first step. But reforms without the funds to properly implement them are not enough.
Citizens Union Calls for Oversight of Board of Elections
April 23, 2019 - Reforms recently passed in Albany are an important first step to protecting and expanding New Yorkers’ right to vote, but they must be implemented carefully and in good faith.
Citizens Union Releases Report Outlining the Cost of Early Voting
February 7, 2019 Contact: Jake Oliver, jake@anatgerstein.com, (347) 361-9983 Report finds that implementing early voting, electronic pollbooks and a combined primary…
Albany Passes Hsitoric Pro-Democracy Reforms, Long Championed by Citizens Union
January 14, 2019 - Today, the Senate and Assembly kept their promise to New Yorkers and passed historic reforms that will protect and expand voting rights in New York State. For too long, New York has had regressive voting laws that depress voter participation.