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 Statement on Approved Revisions to the Rules of the City Council
October 9, 2025 – Citizens Union issued the following statement from Policy Director Ben Weinberg on the passing of New York City Council Resolution 1058-A, a proposal to revise the Council’s internal rules.
Even-Year Elections Drive Dramatically Higher Turnout for Races All the Way Down the Ballot, New Report from Citizens Union Finds
September 24, 2025 – Citizens Union released a new report showing that aligning New York City’s municipal elections with federal contests would so dramatically increase participation in local races further down the ballot, that any ballot drop-off would be negligible. Ballot drop-off refers to the phenomenon where voters tend to skip races further down the ballot.
Citizens Union Announces Support for All 2025 Ballot Questions
September 16, 2025 – Citizens Union announced its support for the six ballot questions that New York City voters will consider in the November general election. The measures include four City Charter amendments on land use and housing, one Charter amendment to move local elections to even years, and one statewide constitutional amendment involving the Adirondack forest preserve.
Good Government Groups to NYC Election Commissioners: Put Questions Certified by City Clerk on the Ballot
September 08, 2025 – Citizens Union, Reinvent Albany, and the Association for a Better New York (ABNY) submitted a letter to the New York City Board of Elections, urging it to follow through on its legal obligations and approve the proposed ballot questions certified by the City Clerk at its upcoming meeting on Tuesday, September 9.
Citizens Union Releases Report on Super PAC Failures Up and Down the Ballot in 2025 New York City Primaries
August 4, 2025 – Citizens Union released a report revealing that despite record-breaking spending, Super PAC–backed candidates fell short in municipal primary elections up and down the ballot this June.
Citizens Union on the Passing of Board Member, Michael Cardozo
July 24, 2025 – Citizens Union issued the following statement from Board Chair John Avlon on the passing of Board Member Michael Cardozo
Citizens Union Applauds Charter Revision Commission Approving an Even-Year Elections Ballot Question for this November
July 21, 2025 – Citizens Union issued the following statement from Executive Director Grace Rauh ahead of the final meeting of the 2025 Charter Revision Commission, which is expected to approve a ballot question to move New York City’s local elections to even-numbered years. This reform has long been championed by Citizens Union, which has provided the Commission with testimony, research, and comments addressing various aspects of election consolidation
Citizens Union Statement on Charter Revision Commission’s Decision to Exclude Open Primaries from 2025 Ballot Proposals
July 16, 2025 – Citizens Union issued the following statement from Board Chairman John Avlon in response to a statement from Richard R. Buery, Jr., Chair of the 2025 New York City Charter Revision Commission, on the Commission’s decision not to consider the question of open primaries