Elections and Voting || Media

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

January 9, 2020 - We have issued the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum applauding the Senate for passing Automatic Voter Registration and on-campus polling site bills

October 22, 2019 - Thanks to the advocacy of Citizens Union, this fall New York becomes the 38th state to implement early voting.

April 23, 2019 - Reforms recently passed in Albany are an important first step to protecting and expanding New Yorkers’ right to vote, but they must be implemented carefully and in good faith.

December 17, 2018 - Citizens Union, a leading good government group committed to reforming New York City and State government to foster accountability, accessibility, and transparency, issues the following statement on Governor Cuomo's 2019 agenda.

November 7, 2018 - By voting in candidates with progressive platforms, voters are signaling they want real reform in New York.

June 11, 2018 - One day after being appointed Ranking Democratic Member of the New York State Senate Elections Committee, Senator Brian Kavanagh today joined with fellow legislators and advocates to urge Governor Andrew Cuomo to fully fund early voting in the Fiscal 2018-2019 Executive Budget.

April 19, 2018 - Citizens Union commends Governor Cuomo for signing Executive Order 181, restoring the right to vote to the tens of thousands of New Yorkers currently on parole.  Denying the right to vote to New Yorkers who are living and working in their communities is unjust.

January 9, 2018 - One day after being appointed Ranking Democratic Member of the New York State Senate Elections Committee, Senator Brian Kavanagh today joined with fellow legislators and advocates to urge Governor Andrew Cuomo to fully fund early voting in the Fiscal 2018-2019 Executive Budget.

January 5, 2018 - Citizens Union is pleased the needed special election to fill 11 seats in the State Legislature has been scheduled by Governor Cuomo.  We maintain that critical reforms need to be put into place, especially since special elections have the lowest voter turnout rates of any elections in New York. New Yorkers are both unable to participate in the process of nominating special election candidates and are not turning out to essentially ratify the choices of party leaders.

September 11, 2017 - Citizens Union today announced its endorsements for citywide and City Council contests for the 2017 New York City general election. 

May 17, 2017 - Five good government groups applauded the New York State Assembly’s passage of a package of nine bills aimed to make voting easier by removing barriers that actually make it difficult for voters to cast their ballots.