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
Statement from Citizens Union in Response to Former NYPD Chiefs’ Civil Lawsuits Alleging Culture of Corruption and Retaliation
July 9, 2025 – Citizens Union issued the following statement from Executive Director Grace Rauh in response to reports of civil lawsuits filed by high-ranking former NYPD chiefs against Mayor Eric Adams and top Police Department officials alleging patterns of corruption and retaliation in the Department
Citizens Union Applauds Charter Revision Commission for Advancing Even Year Election Ballot Question; Urges it to Endorse Open Primary Reform as Well
July 1, 2025 – Citizens Union issued the following statement from Executive Director Grace Rauh in response to the release of the 2025 Charter Revision Commission’s interim final report
Citizens Union Applauds the Charter Commission to Strengthen Local Democracy for Embracing Key Accountability Reforms in New Report
June 6, 2025 – Citizens Union announced its candidate preferences in the Democratic primary races for Mayor and City Comptroller under New York City’s ranked choice voting system. After undertaking a rigorous evaluation process of seven Democratic candidates for Mayor, Citizens Union issued a preferred slate of candidates: Andrew Cuomo, Brad Lander, and Zellnor Myrie. In the race for Comptroller, Citizens Union prefers Justin Brannan as its first choice and Mark Levine as its second choice.
Citizens Union Announces Preferences Keith Powers for Manhattan Borough President and 12 Candidates for City Council
May 28, 2025 – Citizens Union announced its candidate preferences in 12 contested City Council primary races and in the Manhattan Borough President Democratic Primary under New York City’s ranked choice voting system. After undertaking a rigorous evaluation of 37 candidates for 13 offices across all five boroughs, Citizens Union issued its ordered preferences, urging voters to make use of the ranked choice ballots.
Citizens Union Names Grace Rauh As New Executive Director
May 19, 2025 – Citizens Union and the Citizens Union Foundation Chairman John Avlon announced that Grace Rauh has been named the organization’s new Executive Director.
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.