Election Reform is Headed to Your Ballot
New York City has been suffering from low turnout elections that shut out too many New Yorkers – and you might be able to change that this November. The 2025 Charter Revision Commission is considering a ballot proposal to make our democracy more open, fair and responsive: moving our local elections to even-numbered years to align with federal races, where turnout is higher. Citizens Union is at the forefront of the fight to strengthen our democracy and bring more New Yorkers into the electoral process. See our latest:
- New York’s Primary and the Power of Better Elections – Grace Rauh, Vital City
- Open Primaries will aide local democracy - John Avlon, Daily News
- Citizens Union Announces Broad Candidate Support For Moving New York City Elections To Even-Numbered Years
- Citizens Union Statement on Charter Revision Commission’s Decision to Exclude Open Primaries from 2025 Ballot Proposals
- Report: How consolidating New York City’s local elections with presidential or gubernatorial elections will boost turnout, expand the electorate, and save money
Citizens Union Names Grace Rauh as New Executive Director
The 5BORO Institute to Join Citizens Union as New Public Policy Program
Citizens Union and the Citizens Union Foundation Chairman John Avlon announced that Grace Rauh has been named the organization’s new Executive Director. Rauh, an award-winning journalist, is the founding Executive Director of the 5BORO Institute, a nonpartisan nonprofit public policy think tank. A former NY1 political reporter and longtime civic advocate, she brings a unique blend of journalistic integrity and policy acumen to New York’s oldest good government organization. Rauh succeeds Betsy Gotbaum, former New York City Public Advocate, who served as Executive Director for seven years.
“I am honored to lead Citizens Union at this pivotal moment for our democracy – not only nationally, but here in New York,” said Grace Rauh, incoming Executive Director of Citizens Union. “Throughout my career as a journalist, I worked to hold public officials accountable and shine a light on government decision-making. I’m eager to carry that same commitment to transparency, ethics, and civic engagement into this new role. By bringing the 5BORO Institute to New York’s oldest good government group, we’re building a stronger, more powerful nonpartisan force for accountable and effective government.”
Crucial Period for New York Democracy
We’re not resting - even if our website is. Here’s what else is cooking at CU.
The Charter Commission to Strengthen Local Democracy is considering our proposals to establish a process to remove a mayor for misconduct and guaranteeing a minimum budget for the Conflicts of Interest Board.
We restarted our candidate evaluation process for the 2025 General Election. Seeking CU’s support for your candidacy? Fill out our questionnaire.
Join us for the 2025 Gotham Greats Celebration – honoring Eric Gertler, Rose Gill, Betsy Gotbaum, and Dawn L. Smalls