Citizens Union
@citizensunionny.bsky.social
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@citizensunionny.bsky.social new report shows that moving local NYC elections to presidential election years would greatly improve voter turnout and representation, including in down-ballot races. This Nov., NYers can vote to jump-start this move.
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Reposted by Citizens Union
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This November, we have the opportunity to enfranchise more voters by approving Question 6 to move municipal elections to even years.

As @citizensunionny.bsky.social makes it clear: even year voting means more voices are heard—and an electorate that better reflects our communities.
Reposted by Citizens Union
abundanceny.bsky.social
We agree with Ross Barkan: more voters = a stronger democracy. Let’s approve even-year elections when we go to the polls this November.
citizensunionny.bsky.social
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Good-government news never rests — and neither do we!
This week’s Weekly Watchdog covers:
✅ Even-year elections = more voters
🏛️ Council transparency
👶 5BORO’s Child Care Summit (Oct 16)
🤖 AI disinfo in local races
🌍 Ethics & travel rules
mailchi.mp/citizensunio...
citizensunionny.bsky.social
Our advocacy and testimony, along with other good government groups and the public, made an impact: the @NYCCouncil has adopted the rule changes and a more transparent process. But there's still more work to be done.
🔗 Read our full statement: citizensunion.org/portfolio-it...
citizensunionny.bsky.social
When the @council.nyc.gov tried to rush through the most significant set of rule changes in more than a decade, we sounded the alarm. Our outcry (and public testimony) worked. The initial vote was delayed and additional updates made in response to our feedback.
citizensunionny.bsky.social
Even-year elections mean more voters for every office, and a City government that better reflects our diversity.

✅ Vote YES on Prop 6 this November.

Read our full analysis and more case studies here: citizensunion.org/wp-content/u...
citizensunionny.bsky.social
And in San Francisco, local legislative races that use Ranked Choice Voting in even years see high turnout and low drop-off. Mayoral turnout more than doubled when it moved to presidential years.
citizensunionny.bsky.social
In Los Angeles, turnout to vote for Mayor jumped from 20% in 2017 to 44% turnout in 2022, despite sharing space with state and federal offices. In fact, more people voted for mayor than for top-of-the-ballot governor’s race
citizensunionny.bsky.social
In cities that already shifted to even-year elections, turnout for mayoral and other local races surged - even when the contests that moved far down the ballot. Here's Baltimore for example. Last year, a ballot question placed 21st on the ballot received 53% voter turnout
citizensunionny.bsky.social
Instead of being “drowned out,” down-ballot Assembly races currently held in presidential election years benefit from a rise in public interest in politics and see double the turnout as City Council races in odd years, despite similar ballot placement and less competitive races
citizensunionny.bsky.social
NEW report: Explores if shifting NYC elections to even years will overwhelm voters & boost drop-off. But data shows down-ballot turnout is higher when local races share the ballot with federal ones—like 2024, when ballot props got 2× more votes than the mayor’s race
citizensunionny.bsky.social
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citizensunionny.bsky.social
NYC politics is heating up this week:
🗳Adams drops out
🗣Speaker hopefuls $$$ splash
🤯Ballot measure could reshape elections
🚔Power struggles from NYPD to community boards

Don’t miss it 👀 — check out this week’s Weekly Watchdog here mailchi.mp/citizensunio...
citizensunionny.bsky.social
@TimeOutNewYork & @AnnaRahmanan spotlighting what’s on NYC’s ballot this election. Citizens Union is proud to support all six proposals: it’s a clear YES on 1–6 from us!
www.timeout.com/newyork/news...
Here’s what else you will be voting for on Election Day 2024 in NYC
We break down all six ballot proposals.
www.timeout.com
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citizensunionny.bsky.social
Our September edition of the Reformer is here!

Read all the latest updates — from Gotham Greats, to our stances on ballot proposals, to our advocacy efforts for reform: mailchi.mp/citizensunio...
citizensunionny.bsky.social
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...
On Politics: An overlooked ballot measure could transform city elections
Voters should support the ballot question shifting city elections to even-numbered years, writes columnist Ross Barkan.
www.crainsnewyork.com
citizensunionny.bsky.social
✅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...
New York City may move its mayoral elections to even years. It'd be part of a trend
This fall, New York City voters will weigh in on a proposal that could move future city elections to even-numbered years. It's part of a growing trend to consolidate election dates.
www.npr.org
citizensunionny.bsky.social
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.
citizensunionny.bsky.social
Citizens Union is always keeping watch, and we will continue our fight for fair rules and transparency in government.
citizensunionny.bsky.social
Few were paying attention, but on Tuesday Policy Director Ben Weinberg testified before the Rules Committee cautioning against expediting the most sweeping changes.

Now, lawmakers are thinking twice, with multiple Councilmembers going on the record to express their concerns.