More voters mean more voices! NYC’s ballot measure to consolidate our elections is essential for strengthening local democracy. And as Ross Barkan writes in @crainsnewyork.bsky.social, local races will still get lots of attention. Read more here: www.crainsnewyork.com/politics/pol...

✅Nationwide bipartisan momentum. ✅Increase voter turnout. ✅Save money. ✅Greater representation. Consolidating off-year local elections is a win-win-win for voters, for communities, and for democracy. Listen to NPR's story on New York’s opportunity: www.npr.org/2025/09/24/n...

Our Policy Director testified today at the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government annual hearing on strengthening NY ethics laws. We urged commissioners to back limits on lobbyist donations & fundraising — and other reforms — to protect integrity in government.

NEW: The City Council delayed today’s planned vote on its rushed rules overhaul after Citizens Union sounded the alarm and urged patience. @sahalied.bsky.social @cityandstateny.bsky.social www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...

Our Executive Director, Grace Rauh, joined Annika Pergament on @spectrumnewsny1.bsky.social to discuss the six ballot proposals NYC voters will see this Nov, from fixing the housing process to moving city elections to even years. Watch here & get ready to #FlipYourBallot 🗳️ ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

LIVE ON NY1 TODAY Citizens Union Executive Director Grace Rauh joins @spectrumnewsny1.bsky.social Rush Hour to break down what’s really on your ballot this November — and why we’re urging YES on all six proposals, especially moving city elections to even years. 🗳

We support all ballot proposals, including 2-5, a step toward more transparent housing policy to unlock the new housing we badly need. Public funds should not be used to campaign against these measures (or for them, either!) @thecity.nyc @gregdavidonnyc.bsky.social www.thecity.nyc/2025/09/24/h...

Ballot measures, Benzes, and bribery in this week's Watchdog: 🗳️ Citizens Union says vote YES on all 6 ballot q’s 🚫 Council bends rules to oppose housing measures 💸 Megadonors backing Adams ⚖️ Tisch files misconduct charges against cops involved in fatal shooting…

“Public resources should not be used for communications that steer voters in a particular direction” Voters deserve clear, fair information — not blurred lines. Check out @nickgarber.bsky.social reporting in @crainsnewyork.bsky.social www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...

Rumors are swirling around Mayor Eric Adams — will he resign? Catch our Executive Director Grace Rauh & Jamie Rubin on @vitalcitynyc.bsky.social podcast as they unpack the speculation, the stakes, and what this moment means for NYC’s democracy. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...

📢 Big News! We’re calling on all New Yorkers: flip your ballot this November and VOTE YES on all 6 ballot questions! These reforms will boost voter turnout, strengthen democracy, and tackle NYC’s housing crisis.

Ballot battles and bundling scandals — this Weekly Watchdog is packed: 🗳️ Big win: Housing measures stay on the ballot 🚫 Walden stays, too 📉NYPD watchdog nearly gone 🧾 Unregistered PACs (and billionaires who deny involvement) 💸 Secret bundlers behind Adams’ campaign

This week, Citizens Union sprang into action to defend our right to vote on housing reforms. We made it clear to the public, the press, and the Board of Elections: blocking these questions would have been unlawful — and a dangerous attack on democracy.

Even year municipal elections elevate local issues and drive stronger turnout. Policy Director Ben Weinberg made the case for even years in NYC in a @boltsmag.org deep-dive. Read more: boltsmag.org/new-york-cit...

Victory! NYers will be able to vote on key housing reform measures this fall. Today, we mobilized to ensure the questions made it on the ballot. We made our case directly to the Board of Elections, arguing that blocking ballot questions would be unlawful and set a dangerous precedent.

Don't miss out! You're invited to join us tomorrow at 8am for a panel on RCV, featuring key insights from those directly involved in the recent primary election! RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-view-f...

⚖️ Today, NY’s Court of Appeals is hearing arguments on the new law moving county & town elections to even years. Important reminder: this case is about constitutional home rule—not the pros and cons of on-cycle elections.

NEW: We joined @reinventalbany.bsky.social any & ABNY, urging BOE NYC to approve certified ballot questions. Election commissioners lack authority to reject them based on their substance—doing so would set a dangerous precedent, disrupt elections, and harm voters citizensunion.org/wp-content/u...

You’re Invited! We're co-hosting a panel discussion with former candidates and good government advocates on ranked choice voting and how it’s changed the game in NYC. See the View from the Inside on Tuesday, September 9th. RSVP today: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-view-f...

Lots going on in the land of power & corruption in NY, this week’s Weekly Watchdog: 🤝 Adams–Trump backchannel on ambassadorship 🗳 Housing ballot proposals under attack ⚖️ Court fight on even-year elections 🔄 Albany musical chairs ✨ City Council’s glow-up

NYC Council’s charter revision commission has gone silent. New Yorkers deserve transparency. @jccoltin.bsky.social www.politico.com/newsletters/...

Rejecting ballot questions when there is a complaint about the substance of the questions goes far beyond the scope of responsibilities of the NYC Board of Elections and would set a dangerous precedent. @mihirzaveri.bsky.social via @nytimes.com www.nytimes.com/2025/09/04/n...

Working families thrive when democracy does too. On the NYCETC NYC Workforce Drop, our Executive Director, Grace Rauh, talks with Gregory J. Morris about affordable childcare, trust in government, and why even-year election reform can help build a stronger NYC. open.spotify.com/episode/2EvI...

Our August newsletter is here! We’re spotlighting the reforms we’ve achieved together: 🎉 You’re invited! Gotham Greats celebration in October 💸 Public matching and RCV have changed the game 🗳️ Protecting fair maps Read it all in the latest Reformer: mailchi.mp/citizensunio...

Catch up on the corruption and chaos in the latest Weekly Watchdog: 🌐 Foreign influence in NYC elections 🛑 NYPD says no to National Guard 🙈 Mayor shrugs off corruption scandal ⚖️ Indictments + double standards 🤷‍♂️ Calls for resignations ✈️ Corruption… for free flights?

Check out CU Exec Dir Grace Rauh on the latest mini-episode of NYCETC’s NYC Workforce Drop 🎙️ She and Greg Morris unpack the latest indictments + the Winnie Greco “potato chip cash” scandal—and what it all means for trust, accountability, and NYC’s mayoral race. open.spotify.com/episode/5h0f...

Not subscribed to the Weekly Watchdog? You’re missing out on some true popcorn (or chips?) material: 🗞️ Read the newsletter: mailchi.mp/citizensunio... 📬 Subscribe: citizensunion.org/subscribe

On @wbai.org Citizens Union Exec Director Grace Rauh talks about the important election reform on the NYC ballot in November. Moving local elections to the same time as presidential contests means more voter turnout AND a stronger democracy. Win-win. soundcloud.com/jeff-simmons...

Tune in today! 📻

🎙️ Tune in tomorrow on @wbai.org for City Watch! CU Executive Director Grace Rauh will join the show to discuss NYC’s Charter Revision ballot, why moving local elections to even years matters, and what reforms are still needed to strengthen our democracy.

NYC politics this week: All drama This issue of The Weekly Watchdog covers: 🖼️ Frank Seddio’s $9K portrait + BOE bragging ❤️ Poll shows NY loves public matching $$$ 💸 State budget cuts looming 📢 Cuomo PAC 2.0 👀 Probation nepotism scandal ⚖️ Mark Levine’s tightrope act

🚨 A new poll shows 64% of NY voters support our public matching program, which amplifies the power of small-dollar donors. Voters are embracing reform for fair elections. Read more: cityandstateny.com/politics/2025/08/new-yorkers-public-matching-funds-program/407410/

💸 Super PACs spent a record $46M in NYC’s 2025 primaries. 🔥 Over $30M went to losing campaigns. Our new report shows the majority of this cash went up in smoke. 🧵 #MoneyInPolitics #NYCPrimaries

The Watchdog’s back—and NY politics isn’t sleeping. This week’s Watchdog covers: 💸 Big money big flop in NYC primaries 🗳️ Hochul and redistricting 🚫 Mayor Adams denied matching funds, again 🗽Voting Rights Act threatened 👮 NYPD retaliation lawsuit 🧊 ICE shifts tactics

“Voters soundly rejected the role of outside spending in this campaign” — Executive Director Grace Rauh on how big money flamed out in the 2025 NYC primaries. @spectrumnewsny1.bsky.social

"When lawmakers draw their own lines — voters and communities are the first to get hurt" — Executive Director Grace Rauh on the perils of the redistricting arms race. Read more: gothamist.com/news/citing-... @gothamist.com

"The idea that the candidates with the most money win is no longer assured.” — CU’s Grace Rauh in today’s @nytimes.com. Our latest report shows: $46M in super PAC spending, 8 losses. Big money is panicking—and for good reason. 🔗 Read more: www.nytimes.com/2025/08/04/n...

It’s not just the weather—NY politics is heating up. This week’s Watchdog covers: 🗺️ Redistricting showdown 🗳️ Dead voters in BK 💸 Cuomo’s donations probed 📢 South Asian voter power 💔 Tragic Midtown shooting 🏛️ Immigration lawsuit

Our July newsletter is here! Big wins for NYC democracy — and big work ahead: 🗳️ Even-year elections are officially on the ballot this November 🔎 Progress on NYPD oversight 🎉 Gotham Greats celebration this October Read it all in our latest Reformer: mailchi.mp/citizensunio...

From cutting apparent deals with Trump officials to getting sued by the feds—Mayor Adams is back in the hot seat. This week in The Weekly Watchdog: 🕵️‍♂️ Straw donor drama 🔒 Troubling ICE conditions 🗳️ Ballot questions we like 💸 Columbia pays up Read more: mailchi.mp/citizensunio...

Citizens Union issued the following statement from Board Chair John Avlon on the passing of Board Member Michael Cardozo. citizensunion.org/portfolio-it...

Big step toward stronger democracy in NYC! Citizens Union's ED Grace Rauh joined Dan Mannarino on PIX11News Pix on Politics Daily to break down the Charter Revision Commission’s recent vote to move local elections to even years, putting a reform that boosts voter turnout on the ballot.

🗳️ “Polls show cross-partisan support... and nearly every time this has gone to voters, it’s passed by large margins.” Our Executive Director Grace Rauh on why aligning NYC elections with federal ones is a win for democracy — via PIX news pix11.com/news/local-n...

🚨 BREAKING: The @2025NYC_CRC is set to approve a ballot question to move local elections to even-numbered years — a bold reform Citizens Union has fought hard for. More voters. A more representative government. A stronger democracy. Our statement: @richardbuery.bsky.social

NYC's 1 million independent voters should have an equal say in choosing their leaders. We’re deeply disappointed the 2025 Charter Revision Commission is not putting open primaries on the ballot in November. Our statement from Board Chair @johnavlon.bsky.social

More disturbing allegations of corruption among NYPD top brass. That’s why it’s so crucial that the City Council just passed legislation to strengthen police oversight and accountability. The public needs transparency. Read our statement on the reforms: citizensunion.org/portfolio-it...

We read about allegations of corruption in the NYPD, but we don’t always get the full story. The City Council passed a bill to change that -- bolstering police oversight + exposing stonewalling that blocks transparency. Props @galeabrewer.bsky.social @brennancenter.org for their work. Statement👇

Allegations of corruption, pay-to-play promotions, and retaliation at the highest levels of the NYPD are deeply alarming. We’re calling for an immediate investigation by the DOI and NYPD Inspector General. New Yorkers deserve to know what happened here:

Want a more inclusive democracy? Our fact sheet "Opening NYC's Closed Primary System" explains how adopting an open primary system in NYC would make our elections more fair and open by allowing the fastest growing group of voters to participate: citizensunion.org/wp-content/u...

📣 Make your voice heard! The FINAL hearing of the 2025 Charter Revision Commission is today. It’s your chance to weigh in on NYC Charter changes, including proposals to enhance voting rights and improve elections. Sign up to testify in person or virtually: www.nyc.gov/site/charter...