Citizens Union released the following statement in reaction to the rejection of ballot proposals 1 (Amending the Redistricting Process), 3 (Eliminating Ten-Day-Advance Voter Registration Requirement), and 4 (Authorizing No-Excuse Absentee Ballot Voting) by voters in the November general election

Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in response to reforms announced today by Governor Kathy Hochul that will increase transparency and accountability in state government:

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Citizens Union, New York’s pre-eminent, non-partisan good government group, today announced its endorsement of Eric Adams for Mayor in the 2021 general election in New York City. Citizens Union also today announced its endorsements of Tony Avella (City Council District 19, Northeast Queens) and Sal Albanese (City Council District 50, Mid-Island Staten Island) in contested City Council races in the 2021 general election.

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Citizens Union Board Chair Randy Mastro and Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum today announced Citizens Union’s recommendations on five proposals New York State voters will see on their ballots in this fall’s election. 

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Citizens Union released the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in response to the report released by the Department of Investigation detailing Mayor de Blasio’s misuse of public resources for political and personal business:

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Citizens Union released the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum congratulating Governor Kathy Hochul and Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin on their new positions.

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Over the past decades, New Yorkers have seen a seemingly endless parade of scandals, corruption and abuse of power that has forced out two former Governors, two Senate leaders, a state Attorney General, an Assembly Speaker and a state Comptroller, among others.

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Citizens Union released the following statement from Chair Randy Mastro and Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in reaction to the findings of the Attorney General’s investigation into allegations against Governor Andrew Cuomo:

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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.

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After a counting error from the New York City Board of Elections (BOE) threw New York City’s June primary into chaos, Citizens Union has issued a series of recommendations aimed at restoring the faith voters have in the BOE. The recommendations call on the BOE to be fully transparent as votes are counted, accelerate the release of raw vote count data and agree to an independent inquiry. Citizens Union also renewed their call to make the BOE independent of party leaders, and called on the state legislature to take steps to create a more effective, independent agency.

Read the full statement here