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 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.
Citizens Union Endorses Republican Frank Morano in Staten Island City Council Special Election
April 10, 2025 – Citizens Union, New York’s pre-eminent nonpartisan good government organization, announced its endorsement of Republican Frank Morano in the special election for New York City Council District 51, representing Staten Island’s South Shore communities. The seat was vacated earlier this year by former Council Member Joe Borelli.
Citizens Union Releases Report Proposing Mechanism for Removing the New York City Mayor for Misconduct
April 9, 2025 – Citizens Union today released a new report outlining a proposal to establish a clear, fair, and effective process for removing a New York City mayor from office for misconduct. Recent crises at City Hall have exposed significant gaps in the City Charter when it comes to holding the mayor accountable – New York City is one of the only large cities in the U.S. without a local mechanism to remove a mayor for misconduct.