The Reformer: February 2021

 

Dear Friend,

February saw history made in New York City, as we had our first two elections using Ranked Choice Voting. In less than four months, voters in every neighborhood in the City will head to the polls and rank their preferences for Mayor, Comptroller, Public Advocate, Borough President and City Council in an election that shapes city government for the next generation. Citizens Union is here to help with this election. I’m sure you’ve probably been invited to dozens of forums featuring all 20 of the candidates. Bless your dedication to being informed!

 
In an effort to educate voters about the elections and the issues facing the City, we’ve launched a series of “Civic Conversations” where experts discuss important topics. We hosted our first earlier this month, featuring Audrey Cooper of WNYC, Lurie Daniel-Favors of the Center for Law and Social Justice, Medgar Evers College, CUNY and Rose Pierre-Louis of NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research. The event, moderated by Gotham Gazette’s Ben Max, touched on how Ranked Choice Voting will change our elections.
 
We hope you’ll join us for our next conversation on March 11th which will discuss what’s next for New York City’s streetscapes, businesses and neighborhoods. You can read more about that and the work we are doing in Albany in this issue of The Reformer.
 
Best,

 

Betsy Gotbaum

Executive Director, Citizens Union/Citizens Union Foundation
 

POLICY UPDATE
Allowing Voters to Change Party Registration Ahead of the Primary
For years, Citizens Union advocated for moving the date by which you need to switch your party affiliation to vote in the primary election closer to Election Day. Having a date so far before the election disenfranchises voters who aren’t paying attention months before voting. In many races, we don’t even know who the candidates will be yet. In 2019, Governor Cuomo signed a law moving this deadline, which had previously been a full year before the primary date, to February 14 .
 
This year February 14th fell on a Sunday and the Board of Elections had mandated that party enrollment changes, even electronic ones through the DMV, had to be received by Friday, February 12. This was unfair and confusing to voters. In coordination with the Partnership for New York City and the Let NY Vote coalition, we sent a letter to the Board of Elections demanding that enrollment changes be accepted through the 14th. Thankfully the Governor responded by issuing an Executive Order moving the deadline to the 16th.

50-a Takes Effect

It is important that all functions of government be transparent, including law enforcement. That is why Citizens Union advocated for the repeal of Civil Rights Law Section 50-a, which granted special protections shielding the disciplinary records of police officers. Last summer the legislature repealed this law. After a federal court rejected a lawsuit that would have prevented its implementation it went into effect this month.
 
The public has the right to know whether or not the police officers patrolling their neighborhoods have a history of misconduct. This will increase transparency in law enforcement and help build trust between the police and the communities they serve.

Voting Rights Restorations
Our democracy is strongest when we all can participate. New Yorkers who have completed prison terms deserve full voting rights, but right now those rights are contingent on a pardon from the Governor.
 
This week the Legislature had hearings on bills that will codify voting rights for the formerly incarcerated. The legislation has passed the Senate.  We urge the Assembly to pass it as well and for the Governor to sign this restoration of voting rights into law.
 

CIVIC CONVERSATIONS

On March 11, we will have our second Breakfast Brief, discussing the future of New York City’s streetscape, businesses and neighborhoods. We’re excited to announce we will be joined by Council Member Carlina Rivera, former Deputy Mayor for the City of New York Alicia Glen, and New York City Planning Commissioner Larissa Ortiz. The panel will be moderated by Gotham Gazette’s Ben Max and start at 9am.
You can register here.
 

 

 

 

 
RSVP HERE
 
Remembering Ross Graham
On January 28, New York City lost an unheralded but incredibly influential civic leader, and Citizens Union lost a friend and member when Ross Graham passed away from coronavirus at the age of 93. We will all miss Ross deeply and our thoughts go out to her friends and family. Ross’ advocacy shaped the West Side of Manhattan, and her she was a leader in the fight to legalize abortion in New York State. You can read more about Ross’ incredible legacy in her New York Times obituary.
 
 

CU IN THE NEWS
 

GOTHAM GAZETTE

Facing a dire financial situation due to the pandemic’s impact on fundraising events, Gotham Gazette put out a call for support and received an incredibly heartening and helpful response from readers and those willing to invest in our unique brand of local political journalism. Gotham Gazette raised just over $105,000 in December and early January, including more than 700 individual contributions and an additional grant from Altman Foundation on top of its ongoing support. Thank you to everyone who contributed and made sure that Gotham Gazette could continue to publish into 2021 at its current strength.
 
GIVE TODAY
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Latinos and the 2021 New York City Mayoral Election (opinion)
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2/17/21
 

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