It was wonderful to see so many of you earlier this month at our Gotham Greats Celebration. It was a great evening, and I want to thank everyone who came, including our surprise guest – Mayor Eric Adams!
The fact that the Mayor and so many of you took time out of your busy schedules to join us is a testament to the work Citizens Union has done to strengthen our local democracy here in New York for the past 125 years. It also speaks to our incredible honorees – Tali Farhadian Weinstein, former Attorney General Loretta Lynch, Doug, and Wendy Eisenberg, John Avlon, and Margaret Hoover.
Election Day is right around the corner. We’ve announced our positions on the ballot questions New Yorkers will vote on and endorsed Kathy Hochul for Governor and candidates in a few key legislative races. Early voting starts on Saturday, October 29, and runs through Sunday, November 6. You can find your early voting site and hours and your election day poll site click here.
In this edition of The Reformer, you can read about our celebration, our endorsements for the fall elections, the conclusion of New York City’s redistricting process, and more.
Best,
Betsy Gotbaum
Executive Director, Citizens Union/Citizens Union Foundation
Recap of the Gala
On Tuesday, October 18th, we gathered with our valued friends and supporters at The Metropolitan Club to celebrate 125 years of good government advocacy and the accomplishments of our esteemed honorees. Congratulations to Doug and Wendy Eisenberg, Loretta Lynch and Tali Farhadian Weinstein on winning the Gotham Greats Award and to John Avlon and Margaret Hoover on winning the inaugural Searchlight Award for outstanding journalism. Our city and our democracy are stronger thanks to the contributions of these incredible New Yorkers, and it is our honor to recognize them.
To read more about this year’s Gotham Greats Celebration and to see photos from the event, click here.
Betsy Recognized in City & State’s Nonprofit Power 100
Earlier this month, our Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum was named by City & State as one of the 100 most influential nonprofit leaders in New York. In recognizing Betsy, City & State cited Citizens Union’s work to reform the Board of Elections and protect and expand the right to vote. This honor is a testament to Citizens Union’s dedicated and talented staff and all of our wonderful supporters.
To read more, click here. Congrats, Betsy!
POLICY UPDATES
Our Endorsements for the General Election
This week, we announced our endorsements of Kathy Hochul for Governor, Mathylde Frontus for Assembly (AD 46 – Brooklyn), Iwen Chu (SD 17 – Brooklyn), and Toby Ann Stavisky (SD 11 – Queens) for State Senate. To view our online Voters Directory, click here.
We evaluate candidates based on their alignment with our reform agenda, views explicitly on ethics, election reform, and police accountability; their ability to advance their agenda once in office; knowledge of the needs of their constituents; and the ability to wage an effective and competitive campaign.
Early Voting for the primary elections for Governor and Assembly began on Saturday, October 29, and runs through Sunday, November 6. Election Day is Tuesday, November 8. To find your early voting and election day poll sites and hours, click here.
Our Positions on Ballot Proposals
In this general election, there is a statewide ballot proposal and three citywide ballot proposals for voters to consider. After evaluating each proposal, Citizens Union recommends that voters support all four proposals.
Question 1, the 2022 Environmental Bond Act, would allow the state to issue up to $4.2 billion to fund New York’s aggressive plans to combat climate change. We consider the Environmental Bond Act a prime example of good government. Questions 2, 3, and 4 are proposals to amend the City Charter brought forward by the Racial Justice Commission. They deal with different issues, such as adding a permeable Charter, measuring the city’s cost of living, and establishing a bi-annual racial equity plan. The goals of all three proposals are worthy objectives in line with the values of Citizens Union.
To read more about our positions on what is on your ballot, click here.
City Council Approves Redistricting Plan
Last week, the City Council Speaker, Adrienne Adams, announced that the City Council accepts the proposed redistricting plan with no objections, paving the way for new council maps to be filed and approved by the New York Districting Commission. A swift approval of the maps, ahead of the December 7 deadline, will allow candidates and voters ample time to prepare for next year’s election.
The redistricting process had a record-breaking number of community submissions and high levels of public engagement, despite a slow start and attempts to exert political pressure.
We worked to provide free trainings and resources to community groups all over the city. Our 45 community trainings reached 1,700 people in most council districts, empowering New Yorkers to be engaged in the process. We provided impartial research materials and advice to advocates, officeholders, and journalists. We want to thank the New York Community Trust for their support of this vital work.
Join GoVoteNYC and Citizens Union Foundation for a Panel Discussion on Moving Municipal Elections to Even-numbered Years
Thursday, November 10
11 a.m. via Zoom
RSVP: lhansennyc@gmail.comNew Yorkers vote for mayor and local offices in odd-numbered years. They vote for president, governor, and congress in even-numbered years. They are asked to vote so frequently – often, every year – it is no wonder millions of New Yorkers skip important elections. For decades, an average of only 25% of New York City’s 5,000,000 eligible voters have participated in municipal elections.
Should New York align local elections with high-turnout, high-profile federal elections?
Join elections expert Zoltan Hajnal and Citizens Union public policy staff Ben Weinberg and Daniel Kaminsky to discuss CU’s forthcoming report analyzing if moving local elections to even-numbered years would strengthen New York City’s democracy.Panelists:
Zoltan Hajnal, professor of political science at the School of Global Policy and Strategy, University of California San Diego, author of “Dangerously Divided” and “America’s Uneven Democracy”
Ben Weinberg, Director of Public Policy, Citizens Union Foundation
Daniel Kaminsky, Public Policy Manager, Citizens Union Foundation
CU IN THE NEWS
Spectrum News NY
Latest City Council map has its winners and losers
October 7, 2022
Politico
Council Redistricting Clears Hurdle Despite Continued Objections from City Hall, GOP
October 6, 2022
The City
Redistricting Commission Sends Contentious Draft Maps to City Council After Re-Do
October 6, 2022
City & State
2022 Nonprofit Power 100
October 2, 2022
GOTHAM GAZETTE
Are you thankful for Gotham Gazette? We are thankful for all of our readers and supporters as we continue to cover New York government and politics like no other publication. Please support our work with a donation today.
What the Polls Say About the New York Governor’s Race
by Samar Khurshid
Bail Reform Remains at Center of New York Political Debate But State Legislature has Never Held a Hearing On It
by Samar Khurshid
Hochul Raises Massive Sum in Final State Election Before New Campaign Finance System Kicks In
by Ethan Geringer-Sameth
In Governor’s Race, Hochul and Zeldin Differ Greatly on Climate Issues
by Samar Khurshid
Council Speaker Outlines Priorities, Weighs In on Key Issues Facing the City
by Ethan Geringer-Sameth
CU FLASHBACK
As we celebrate our 125th anniversary, we look back at some of the Declaration of Principles and Objectives. Citizens Union’s founders outlined demands to make government more accountable to the people — such as elections independent of the state and federal elections.