Our Reform Agenda

  • Repeal the constitutional requirement for equal bipartisan representation in election administration, which empowers political parties to nominate elections boards
  • Eliminate statutory provisions that extend equal bipartisan representation to all election administration staff
  • Allow local authorities greater scrutiny of nominees proposed by county parties, including the authority to hold hearings for nominees and refuse to appoint a nominee

  • Implement an open, competitive, merit-based hiring process for all election administration staff and certain functions at polls
  • Set appropriate professional qualifications for all election officials and staff
  • Enact mandatory and ongoing trainings for election commissioners, by the State Board of Elections (SBOE)
  • Allow local election commissioners to be removed with good cause by the appointing authority or by the SBOE

  • Generate more uniformity in procedures across county boards
  • Centralize statewide election results data
  • Require local election boards provide information on performance and metrics

  • Implement split shifts for poll workers in New York City
  • Facilitate recruitment of youth and young poll workers
  • Develop a program for municipal employees to serve as poll workers in New York City
  • Repeal the constitutional requirement for equal bipartisan representation in election administration, which empowers political parties to nominate elections boards
  • Eliminate statutory provisions that extend equal bipartisan representation to all election administration staff
  • Allow local authorities greater scrutiny of nominees proposed by county parties, including the authority to hold hearings for nominees and refuse to appoint a nominee
  • Implement an open, competitive, merit-based hiring process for all election administration staff and certain functions at polls
  • Set appropriate professional qualifications for all election officials and staff
  • Enact mandatory and ongoing trainings for election commissioners, by the State Board of Elections (SBOE)
  • Allow local election commissioners to be removed with good cause by the appointing authority or by the SBOE
  • Generate more uniformity in procedures across county boards
  • Centralize statewide election results data
  • Require local election boards provide information on performance and metrics
  • Implement split shifts for poll workers in New York City
  • Facilitate recruitment of youth and young poll workers
  • Develop a program for municipal employees to serve as poll workers in New York City

Highlights:

Letters September 8, 2025
Good Government Groups to NYC Election Commissioners: Put Questions Certified by City Clerk on the Ballot
Letters December 9, 2024
Voting Rights Groups Call for City Council to Reconsider Seddio BOE Nomination
Bill Memo February 7, 2024
Memo of Support, S6173B (Skoufis)/A7052 (Sillitti), requiring New York join multistate voter list maintenance organizations

1914

Citizens Union wins reforms requiring voter signature to protect election integrity

2001

CU Foundation recruits poll workers to support NYC election administration.

2013

CU-backed reforms improve efficiency of reporting election night results.

Recent Action on Board of Elections Reform

Visit Citizens Union's Library for insights on Board of Elections Reform.