In November, New Yorkers exercised their right to vote in the 2023 general election. We are pleased to announce that all the candidates we endorsed have emerged victorious, and we look forward to collaborating with them to support Citizen Union’s agenda for good government reform at City Hall.
As anticipated, voter turnout was significantly low for this off-cycle election. A Crain’s New York Forum examined the reasons behind low voter engagement and suggested solutions to improve turnout, including a feature on our recommendation of shifting local elections to even-numbered years.
You can read more about the midterm elections, our work on voting reform, and what we’ve been up to this month in this edition of The Reformer.
Best,
Betsy Gotbaum
Executive Director, Citizens Union/Citizens Union Foundation
POLICY UPDATES
City Council Midterm Election Recap
Last month, we announced our endorsements for the midterm election in a few key races for City Council. We congratulate CU-endorsed candidates Linda Lee (District 23), Sandy Nurse (District 37), Justin Brannan (District 47), and Susan Zhuang (District 43) on their victories for City Council.
To view our online Voters Directory, click here.
Analysis of Off-Year Local Election Finds Significant Voter Turnout Drop Off
Our analysis of the 2023 general election revealed a significant decrease in voter turnout, even in areas where local races were competitive. We compared voter turnout in key races for county and city offices in 2023 with voter turnout in overlapping areas in November 2022, finding that turnout in last year’s elections was higher by 42 percent to 169 percent. Unofficial election night results for the 2023 general election showed that only 18% of eligible New York voters participated – demonstrating the need to consolidate local elections with higher-profile races with better turnout.
To view Citizens Union’s analysis of the November 2023 Election, click here.
Elected Officials and Advocates Call on Governor to Sign Law Moving Local Elections to Even Years
This week, we joined State Senator James Skoufis, Senator Robert Jackson, Assembly Member Michaelle Solages, Common Cause NY, the New York Civil Liberties Union, the Brennan Center, Generation Vote, and El Puente to call on Governor Hochul to sign S3505B/A4282 into law. This legislation would move certain New York county and town elections to even-numbered years, which would increase voter participation and enhance local democracy throughout the state.
Dozens of member organizations and partners of the Let NY Vote coalition have joined this call in a letter sent to the Governor.
NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government Roundtable
Earlier in November, we participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by the New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (COELIG) about their 2024 legislative agenda. We stressed the need for a forward-looking legislative agenda with stronger disclosure rules and pay-to-play restrictions for lobbyists. For instance, the state should mandate lobbyists to disclose fundraising activities and indicate their support or opposition to legislation. Also, campaign contributors should disclose their employer, like in New York City. We look forward to working with COELIG on these reforms in the next legislative session.
CIVIC CONVERSATION
You’re invited! Join us on Wednesday, December 6th, for our next Civic Conversation with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., moderated by John Avlon, author, columnist, commentator, CNN Senior Political Analyst, and Anchor. RSVP to attend here.
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!
Citizens Union has teamed up with Communities Speak to ensure that policymakers understand the unique challenges our communities experience so they can effectively and meaningfully do something about it. Communities Speak collects information on the experiences of New Yorkers across the five boroughs to help ensure that policy in our city is made with the needs of your community in mind.
Developed by Columbia University researchers and funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Communities Speaks aims to increase the diversity and influence of community voices in policy-making by developing data-driven dialogue between community leaders, constituents, and governments.
Take the quick, anonymous survey here!
CU IN THE NEWS
The Center Square
Federal government seeks to take over New York City’s Rikers Island prison
November 21, 2023
Gothamist
Federal prosecutor asks judge to take away control of Rikers from Mayor Adams administration
November 19, 2023
Amsterdam News
What we know about Mayor Adams & the FBI probe
November 15, 2023
MarketWatch
It’s Election Day — and Taylor Swift wants you to vote
November 7, 2023
NY Daily News
FBI raids home of Mayor Adams’ top campaign fundraiser as part of federal corruption probe
November 2, 2023
Daily Mail
Eric Adams breaks his silence on ‘kickback’ probe as he says: ‘I feel extremely comfortable’ after fundraising chief’s NYC home was raided by the FBI over ‘cash from the Turkish government’
November 2, 2023