New York, NY (March 30, 2026) – Citizens Union today released the following statement from Executive Director Grace Rauh ahead of the Public Campaign Finance Board March 31, 2026 vote on the eligibility of gubernatorial candidates for the state’s Public Campaign Finance Program:

“New York State’s public campaign finance system is a cornerstone in our democracy. Its stewards should do everything within their legal authority to ensure it maintains credibility, endures over the long term, and continues to earn the public’s trust.

“Reports that the Public Campaign Finance Board may deny matching funds to Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman on a party-line vote risks undermining that trust.

“While the Board must guard against fraud and misuse of public funds, the Blakeman matter is not based on such conduct. Instead he is at risk of being denied public funds because of a filing deficiency that appears to result from confusion, administrative error, or campaign missteps compounded by unclear guidance from Board staff (according to Newsday) and a recently-approved emergency rule.

“A legal analysis by The Brennan Center for Justice found that Blakeman has in fact substantially complied with the filing requirement in question. Reinvent Albany notes that the Board’s own rules required it to allow Blakeman’s campaign to cure any defects when it amended its filing in February.

“Under these circumstances, the Board should ensure that all campaigns affected by the new emergency rules have a meaningful opportunity to comply through a transparent process. The Brennan Center has recommended that the Board use its legal authority to establish a one-time, two-week cure period.

“Additionally, given the heightened public scrutiny surrounding this matter, the Board should publicly disclose what was filed by the campaign, the guidance provided, the opportunities to cure deficiencies, and when each step occurred.

“Board members should not allow this matter to devolve into a partisan political and legal battle that undermines the public campaign finance program.”