 VOTING!
Once you receive your absentee ballot, you must follow all the written instructions carefully, including:
- Complete the ballot using blue or black ink;
- Use the return envelope provided with the ballot;
- Sign back of the envelope as instructed;
- The ballot mailed to you by the Board of Elections will include pre-paid return postage. Ballots must be postmarked by June 23.
If you didn’t request an absentee ballot or have not received your ballot don’t worry! You can take advantage of Early Voting through Sunday, June 21, and polls will be open on Election Day (where very few people are present). Visit nyc.pollsitelocator.com to find your Early Vote location and Election Day poll site.
REPEAL 50-a
The Minneapolis police officer who murdered George Floyd had over 15 complaints against him in 19 years on the job. Had this horrific incident occurred in New York, this information never would have been made public due to Civil Rights Law, Section 50-a. Thankfully, this law has now been repealed.
It is important that all functions of government be transparent, including law enforcement. Prior to the repeal, New York was one of only two states that granted special protections shielding the disciplinary records of police officers. The public has the right to know whether or not the police officers patrolling their neighborhoods have a history of misconduct. Repealing 50-a will increase transparency and restore trust between police officers and the communities they serve.
We thank Assembly Member O’Donnell and Senator Bailey for spearheading this important legislation and Governor Cuomo for signing it into law.
VOTERS GUIDE
Last week, we announced our candidate endorsements in 12 contested races for Assembly, State Senate and Queens Borough President. We are the only good government group to make recommendations for state offices.
Our preferences include Jason Salmon (Senate District 25- Brooklyn) Elvis Santana (Assembly District 79- Bronx), Justin Cohen (Assembly District 56- Brooklyn) and Khaleel Anderson (Assembly District 31- Queens), who are running for open seats, Emily Gallagher (Assembly District 50- Brooklyn), Jessica González-Rojas (Assembly District 34- Queens) and Jenifer Rajkumar (Assembly District 38- Queens), who are challenging incumbents, and incumbent Assembly Members Jeffrey Dinowitz (Assembly District 81- Bronx), Yuh-Line Niou (Assembly District-65), Robert Rodriguez (Assembly District 68- Manhattan) and Aravella Simotas (Assembly District 36- Queens). Donovan Richards is our preferred candidate for Queens Borough President.
We are proud to support a slate of candidates who have demonstrated a clear commitment to reforming our government so it is more transparent, accountable and accessible. It is more important than ever that we have strong representation in government. We encourage all New Yorkers to take a long, hard look at the candidates seeking their support, and please, remember to vote.
|
Dear Friend,
Citizens Union would like to thank the more than 125 individuals who supported Spring for Reform and helped to make the event such a success. Together we raised nearly $40,000 to support the important legislative advocacy and candidate evaluation work of Citizens Union. In these times that are challenging in so many ways, your generosity means so much to us. Now, more than ever, good government organizations like Citizens Union are necessary, you help us to be there. 