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 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
Statement from Citizens Union on Council Passage of Critical NYPD Oversight Legislation
July 15, 2025 – Citizens Union Executive Director Grace Rauh issued the following statement in response to the passage of Intro 1020-2024 by the New York City Council
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 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.