Press Releases

Citizens Union Analysis Shows Positive Impact of Ranked Choice Voting in June Election

July 19, 2021 - Citizens Union released a detailed analysis of the June primary elections in New York City, examining the impact of Ranked Choice Voting. The analysis found that Ranked Choice Voting gave more voters a say in elections, with fewer votes “wasted” on candidates who fell well short of winning their races. The analysis also found that voter turnout increased; voters embraced Ranked Choice Voting and navigated the system well; and the number of women running, and the number of women and people of color winning increased. These benefits were seen throughout the city.

Citizens Union Outlines Steps the Board of Elections Must Take to Regain the Trust of Voters After Latest Blunder

July 2, 2021 - After a counting error from the New York City Board of Elections (BOE) threw New York City’s June primary into chaos, Citizens Union has issued a series of recommendations aimed at restoring the faith voters have in the BOE. The recommendations call on the BOE to be fully transparent as votes are counted, accelerate the release of raw vote count data and agree to an independent inquiry. Citizens Union also renewed their call to make the BOE independent of party leaders, and called on the state legislature to take steps to create a more effective, independent agency.

Citizens Union Announces Preferences of Kathryn Garcia, Eric Adams for Mayor, and Brian Benjamin, Corey Johnson for Comptroller, in Ranked Choice Voting

June 11, 2021 - Today, Citizens Union announced its candidate preferences in the races for Mayor and Comptroller under New York City's new ranked choice voting system. After rigorously evaluating 7 candidates for Mayor and 9 candidates for Comptroller, Citizens Union prefers Kathryn Garcia and Eric Adams for Mayor and Brian Benjamin and Corey Johnson for Comptroller.

Citizens Union Announces Preferences of Jo Anne Simon for Brooklyn Borough President; Brad Hoylman for Manhattan Borough President; Dual- Preference of Alvin Bragg and Tali Farhadian Weinstein for Manhattan DA; and 8 Candidates for City Council

June 7, 2021 - Today, Citizens Union announced its preferences in 11 contested primary elections, including the races for Manhattan Borough President, Brooklyn Borough President, Manhattan District Attorney, and eight City Council seats.

Citizens Union Issues Report Outlining Agenda for Police Reform

March 23, 2021 - Citizens Union, New York’s preeminent good government group, today issued a report outlining a comprehensive agenda for reform to make the New York City Police Department more transparent and accountable

Statement from Former NYC Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum on the Passing of Mayor David Dinkins

November 24, 2020 - Betsy Gotbaum, Former NYC Public Advocate and current Executive Director of Citizens Union issues the following statement on the passing of Mayor David Dinkins: “With the passing of David Dinkins, we have lost an iconic New Yorker and a giant of our city’s public life. Mayor Dinkins was elected as New York’s first Black Mayor at a difficult time, and his administration set our city on the path to an era of prosperity and growth."

Citizens Union Announces Historic Endorsement of Joe Biden for President

October 22, 2020 - For the First Time in the Organizations 120 Year History, Citizens Union Issues Preference in Race for President. Good Government Group Also Issues Preferences for Senator Andrew Gounardes, Assembly Members Mathylde Frontus and Rebecca Seawright, and Brandon Patterson for an Open Assembly Seat in Staten Island and Brooklyn

Statement from Betsy Gotbaum on Passing of Former First Lady Joyce Dinkins

October 5, 2020 - “A wonderful, gentle and kind person has left us. Joyce Dinkins was a tremendous advocate for the city that she loved. I extend my deepest sympathies to Mayor Dinkins, their children, and Joyce’s many friends and loved ones.”

Statement from Betsy Gotbaum of Citizens Union on Reports of New Yorkers being sent incorrect absentee ballots

September 29, 2020 - Citizens Union has issued the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in response to the reports of voters in New York City being sent incorrect absentee ballots: “The recently reported absentee ballot mishaps in Brooklyn and Queens have only exacerbated what was already poised to be a difficult and confusing election for voters. New York has to get this right. We know that President Trump will seize on anything he can to attempt to undermine the legitimacy of mail in ballots in New York City.”

Statement on Behalf of Citizens Union from Randy Mastro, Citizens Union’s chair

Just when we thought it couldn't get any worse, it has. In the space of a week, President Trump bypassed…

Statement from Citizens Union Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum on the Passing of Former Queens Borough President Claire Shulman

August 17, 2020 - New York lost a dedicated public servant in former Queens Borough President Claire Shulman.

Citizens Union Foundation Launches Nonpartisan Voter Education Campaign in Advance of the 2021 New York City Elections

July 29, 2020 - Citizens Union Foundation, New York’s preeminent nonpartisan good government group, announced the launch of ElectNYC, a nonpartisan voter education effort that will provide New Yorkers with crucial information about next year’s local New York City elections.

Statement from Citizens Union on President Trump’s Memorandum Excluding Immigrants from Being Counted in 2020 Census

July 21, 2020 — Much like the unconstitutional citizenship question that was struck down by the Supreme Court a year ago, the motivation behind President Trump’s memorandum banning immigrants from being counted in the Census is clear.

With Voter Registration Brought to a Standstill Due to COVID-19, Citizens Union Calls for the State to Allow Online Voter Registration in New York City

July 6, 2020 - Citizens Union has renewed its call to allow New York City residents to register to vote online in advance of the November 2020 election.

Citizens Union Announces Candidate Preferences in June Elections

June 8, 2020 - Citizens Union Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum today announced Citizens Union’s candidate endorsements in 12 contested races for Assembly, State Senate and Queens Borough President.

Statement on Behalf of Citizens Union From Randy Mastro, Citizens Union’s Chair

June 1, 2020 - Citizens Union has issued the following statement from Board Chair Randy Mastro: As our country lurches from one crisis to the next, New York once again finds itself on high alert. And our country once again finds itself lacking the leadership and empathy we so desperately need from our federal government.

Citizens Union Reacts to Publicly Financed Elections Being Included in State Budget

April 2, 2020 - Citizens Union has issued the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in response to the inclusion of publicly financed elections in the state budget:

Statement from Citizens Union on the Passing of Father Joseph A. O’Hare, S.J., Founding Chair, New York City Campaign Finance Board

April 1, 2020 - Citizen’s Union, New York City’s leading good government group, issued the following statement on the passing of Father Joseph A. O’Hare, S.J:

Citizens Union Reacts to Postponement of April Primary Elections

March 28, 2020— Citizens Union has issued the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum reacting to the news that the primary elections scheduled for April 28 will be postponed until June 23:

Reformers Urge NY Government to Adopt New Measures to Do the People’s Business

GROUPS URGE GOVERNMENT TO ADOPT NEW MEASURES TO DO THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS Common Cause/NY, League of Women Voters New York,…

Amidst Coronavirus Outbreak, Citizens Union Calls on Legislature and Board of Elections to Take Steps to Ensure 2020 Elections Run Smoothly

March 19, 2020 - Citizens Union has issued the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum, urging the New York State Legislature and Board of Elections to take measures to ensure the 2020 elections in New York State run smoothly, while protecting public health and reducing community transmission of COVID-19

Citizens Union’s Statement on the 2020 Elections During the COVID-19 Outbreak

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent declaration of a state of emergency in New York State and…

As New York Tackles Coronavirus Outbreak, Citizens Union Urges New Yorkers Not to Forget to Fill Out Census Forms

March 16, 2020 - As the world grapples with how to address the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak and New Yorkers are encouraged to practice social distancing, Citizens Union, New York’s preeminent nonpartisan good government group, encouraged New Yorkers to remember to complete the 2020 census.

Citizens Union Statement on Supreme Court Ruling that Public Campaign Financing and Election Commission is Unconstitutional

March 12, 2020 - Citizens Union has issued the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum applauding the State Supreme Court for ruling the Public Campaign Financing and Election Commission unconstitutional

Statement of Randy Mastro, Chair of Citizens Union

February 19, 2020 - A cornerstone of our republic has always been a justice system committed to fairness, honesty and integrity. The rule of law is only as strong as the dedicated men and women who enforce it on our behalf in the U.S. Justice Department. But now, their work is under political attack by a President who thinks it appropriate to call for the prosecution of his political enemies and the protection of his political allies. If we are to keep our republic, this latest affront to our democracy cannot go unchecked and unchallenged.

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