Press Release
Charter Review Commission Must Delay Ballot Proposals Due to Rushed Process
Given historically quick timeline, expansive scope of Commission's work, and lack of public input, Commission's proposals must wait until next year's ballot
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Press Release
ICYMI: Buffalo News Editorializes In Favor of Common Cause/NY Lawsuit to Prevent ExpressVote XL Voting Machine
Press Release
Elected officials, Common Cause/NY Rally in Support of Santos Inspired Campaign Bill
"Voters expect – at the very least – the people running to represent them are who they say they are. That's why Senator Liu and Assembly Member Sillitti's newly revised bill is important: it raises the accountability bar for candidates and makes it harder for candidates who lack integrity– like Mr. Santos – to defraud New York voters. We're hopeful lawmakers will pass this bill swiftly come January so no future candidate bamboozles the public again," said Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/NY.
Press Release
Common Cause/NY on Santos Expulsion: “Good!”
"Today's decision to expel Mr. Santos is a win for voters and democracy. Mr. Santos' deception and likely violation of federal law has been clear for a long time. Voters did not deserve a representative that lied and defrauded his way into Congress. The House Ethics Committee's diligent bi-partisan report made crystal clear that Mr. Santos is plainly unfit to serve in public office any longer. We commend the New York delegation's overwhelming bi-partisan vote in favor of expelling Mr. Santos, and all other Representatives who voted to protect...
Press Release
Common Cause/NY & The Black Institute Sue NYSBOE Over Certification of Flawed Voting Machine
"The certification of the ExpressVote XL – an expensive and below standard voting machine – was a major step backwards for New York, and an exceedingly poor decision ahead of the 2024 presidential election year when election security remains a fraught topic. Paper ballots marked by the voter -- which New York currently uses -- are the preferred election security standard. The court must overturn the Board of Elections' wrong decision to certify the machine before the 2024 election," said Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/NY.
Press Release
Common Cause/NY Releases New Report on New York’s Unaffiliated Voters
On November 20th, Common Cause/NY released a report on the more than 3.1 million politically unaffiliated (also known as "Blank") voters in New York State – a group that is steadily growing as more Americans become disillusioned with the two party system. These voters, who represent 24% of New York's electorate, are politically active but locked out of New York's closed primary process because they are not registered to a political party. The report published today provides a deeper understanding of who New York's unaffiliated voter...
Press Release
Common Cause/NY Demands Congress Expel George Santos
"Today's fact finding bi-partisan report from the House Ethics Committee makes it crystal clear that Mr. Santos is unfit for public office. Recognizing the seriousness of the remedy of expulsion, Common Cause/NY has waited for the process to play out appropriately. Now we and the House of Representatives are left with only one option: Congress must expel Mr. Santos. It's been clear for a long time that the voters have been defrauded, and Mr. Santos' seat in Congress is tantamount to an ill gotten gain: he should not be allowed to profit from...
Press Release
Polls Are Closed: Here’s What Next for New York
"Today's successful Election Day is in no small part thanks to early voting. Accessibility, not turnout, will always be how we measure the success of early voting, which alleviates the burden on voters and provides election officials with extra time to ensure a seamless voting process," said Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause New York. "While there's no one solution to boosting turnout, we continue to urge Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign legislation that would consolidate local, odd-year elections with the national, even-year...
Press Release
It’s Election Day! Common Cause Outlines Voters’ Rights & Expectations for Vote Counting
"Safe and fair elections are our highest priority, and just like years prior, our nonpartisan election protection team is on the ground to help voters exercise their rights, report illegal activity, and answer any questions. We encourage any New Yorker to approach our volunteers or call 866-OUR-VOTE should they have any questions at all," said Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/NY. "Democracy takes time and every vote counts. That's why final results will not be available the same day. Accurate and fair election results are worth...
Press Release
Common Cause/NY Launches Nonpartisan Election Protection Program Ahead of Election Day in NYC
"Safe and fair elections are our highest priority, and just like years prior, our nonpartisan election protection team is on the ground to help voters exercise their rights, report illegal activity, and answer any questions," said Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/NY. "We encourage any New Yorker to approach our volunteers or call 866-OUR-VOTE and get out the vote!"
Press Release
Voting Rights Groups Encourage New Yorkers to Get out the Early Vote
"Common Cause New York is encouraging all New Yorkers who can vote to get out early and take advantage of Saturday's Golden Day if they are new voters who need to register," said Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause New York. "Early voting is a gamechanger for New Yorkers who no longer have to choose between getting to work or exercising their democratic rights. Now, let's get out that early vote!"
Press Release
Common Cause/NY Statement on Additional Rep. Santos Indictment: He Still Must Resign
"As we said after the Eastern District of New York appropriately indicted Mr. Santos in May: he must resign. It's been clear for a long time that the voters have been defrauded, and Mr. Santos' seat in Congress is tantamount to an ill gotten gain: he should not be allowed to profit from the fruits of his deception. Voters deserve a representative who doesn't lie and deceive their way into power, and unfortunately they have waited too long for Mr. Santos to do the right thing and resign."
Press Release
Common Cause/NY Responds to Ruling Against Independent Ethics Commission
Judge Marcelle has imposed an all consuming, and far reaching fidelity to uncontrolled executive power to deny New Yorkers independent oversight of our elected leaders. It is a fundamental tenet of good government that politicians can not police themselves, which this decision seeks to undo. Further, the judge argues that since there is no precedent for independent ethics oversight in New York state, it is somehow proof against concept rather than an argument in its favor. Corruption in New York is what's exceptional and unacceptable to the...