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 Court of Appeals Ruling Upholding Early Mail Ballot Law
August 20, 2024 – Citizens Union has released the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum applauding the Court of Appeals ruling upholding the law allowing any registered voter to request an early mail ballot
Citizens Union Responds to Independent Budget Office Findings on Fiscal Savings of Moving Local Elections to Even-Numbered Years in NYC
August 15, 2024 – the City of New York Independent Budget Office (IBO), released a letter outlining how moving local elections on-cycle with state and federal elections would result in approximately $42 million in savings every other year. Citizens Union welcomes the findings, which highlight yet another benefit of consolidating New York City’s municipal elections with presidential or gubernatorial elections.
Statement from Betsy Gotbaum, Executive Director of Citizens Union, in Response to the New York Times’ Decision to Discontinue Endorsements in Local NYC Races
August 13, 2024 – Citizens Union has issued the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in response to The New York Times’ Decision to Discontinue Endorsements in Local NYC Races
Statement from Randy Mastro, Chair of Citizens Union
July 15, 2024 – The recent attempt on the life of a former President and current Presidential candidate is a shocking and reprehensible act of violence. Our democracy is built on the principles of peaceful discourse and the rule of law, and any act of violence against our leaders, past, present or future, is an attack on these fundamental values.
Citizens Union Report Finds Ample Opportunities for Public Input on Public Safety Bills in the City Council
July 8, 2024 – There is already ample opportunity for the public to comment on Public Safety bills before the New York City Council, according to a comprehensive analysis released today by Citizens Union. The report found that there were no major differences in time awarded for input on public safety bills compared with other bills; that the current Council does not provide less time for public input on public safety bills compared to previous Councils; and that high-profile public safety bills that drove the conversation took longer to approve than many other contentious bills.
Citizens Union Responds to ProPublica and The New York Times Report Outlining a Misuse of Disciplinary Rules by NYPD Leadership
June 28, 2024 – Citizens Union has released the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in response to the ProPublica and The New York Times joint report on NYPD disciplinary practices
Citizens Union and Common Cause Say Charter Review Commission Must Delay Ballot Proposals Due to Rushed Process
June 25, 2024 – Yesterday, the New York City Charter Review Commission issued its preliminary report on potential changes to the City’s charter. In response, Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause New York and Betsy Gotbaum, Executive Director of Citizens Union, issued the following statement about the Commission’s process and need to provide greater opportunity for public input
Statement from Betsy Gotbaum, Executive Director of Citizens Union and Former NYC Public Advocate on Assembly Candidacy of Hiram Monserrate
June 24, 2024 – Citizens Union has issued the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in response to the candidacy of Hiram Monserrate for Assembly in Queens
Citizens Union Calls on the Charter Revision Commission Not to Propose Major Changes in Such a Rushed Timeline and to Prevent Future Charter Gamesmanship
June 17, 2024 – Citizens Union testified before the 2024 New York City Charter Commission’s Government and Election Reform Hearing. Throughout its 125-year history, Citizens Union has supported periodic comprehensive reviews of the New York City Charter absent a political agenda via the appointment of an independent Charter Revision Commission to ensure that city government is operating effectively, efficiently, and in the public’s best interest.
Citizens Union Prefers Emily Gallagher, Jo Anne Simon, Stefani Zinerman, Xavier Santiago, Micah Lasher and Jordan Wright for Assembly
June 12, 2024 – Citizens Union announced its preferences in six contested primary elections for Assembly seats in Brooklyn and Manhattan.