Press Releases
NY Reform
Joint Statement on Governor Cuomo’s State of the State Address
In yesterday's State of the State Address, Governor Andrew Cuomo vowed to lead the push for what could become the most important reform in the nation in 2012: reducing the massive influence of big money in our political system through public financing of elections for New York State.
– 01/05/12
Brennan Center Praises Cuomo’s Support of Public Financing
Following Governor Andrew Cuomo’s State of the State address, the Brennan Center released this statement from Executive Director Michael Waldman.
– 01/04/12
Report: 60,000 New York Votes Lost Due to Poor Design in 2010
A new Brennan Center for Justice analysis of data from the 2010 election indicates more than 20,000 votes for governor in New York were lost because machines read them as “overvotes,” ballots with too many candidates selected. The analysis finds New York voting machines’ confusing and misleading overvote warning message is at fault, as well as the state’s outdated ballot design.
– 12/06/11
Report: Tens of Thousands of Votes Lost Due to Poor Design in 2008 and 2010
A new Brennan Center for Justice analysis of data from the 2010 general election finds more than 20,000 votes for governor in New York were lost because machines read them as “overvotes,” ballots with too many candidates selected.
– 12/06/11
Civil Rights Groups Answer Summary Judgment Motion in Prison-Based Gerrymandering Lawsuit
Attorneys for the fifteen voters from around New York State who have joined the legal defense of New York’s law ending prison-based gerrymandering today filed papers asking New York Supreme Court Judge Eugene Devine to grant their motion for summary judgment and uphold the law.
– 08/19/11
Victory for New York State: Comptroller Public Financing Bill Passes Assembly
After the New York State Assembly passed a bill to create a voluntary public financing system for New York State’s Comptroller’s race, the Brennan Center released a statement praising the vote and urging the Senate to pass the bill.
– 06/21/11
Comptroller Public Financing Bill: A Good Start for New York State
The Brennan Center released a statement in support of the proposed bill to create a voluntary public financing system for New York State's Comptroller's race, saying it is a good start and should be extended to New York's other statewide and legislative elections.
– 06/15/11
New York State Leaders Reach Three-Way Ethics Reform Agreement
The Brennan Center for Justice hailed the agreement announced today by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders on overhauling ethics oversight and enforcement in Albany as a long-awaited first step to reforming state government.
– 06/03/11
Civil Rights Organizations File Motion to Defend Law Ending Prison-Based Gerrymandering
Today, top civil rights organizations filed a motion in New York Supreme Court asking to intervene to help defend New York’s new law allocating people in prison to their home communities for redistricting and reapportionment.
– 05/17/11
Prominent Bipartisan Group Offers Support to Cuomo to Press Ahead on Public Funding of Campaigns
In a letter to the Governor, a prominent group of bipartisan political figures argues: “Real change can’t happen in Albany until we limit the torrent of special interest money flowing into incumbents’ coffers and create a public funding system that will provide a real alternative for candidates from the current status quo of money and politics.”
– 02/28/11