Citizens Union Backs Nonpartisan Elections in New York City

The New York Times reports that Citizens Union is now backing nonpartisan elections. Here's Citizens Union's report. From the Times:

In a reversal, a prominent government watchdog said Wednesday that it now supported eliminating the role of parties in city elections, adding momentum to an effort to bring the issue before voters in November.

The group, Citizens Union, had opposed the idea of nonpartisan elections seven years ago, when Mayor Michael R. Bloombergcampaigned for it. His effort was handed a decisive defeat by voters.

But in a report released on Wednesday, the group said that turnout had grown so low and elections so preordained that parties should lose their domineering power.

“We want to reduce the gamesmanship,” said John P. Avlon, who led a task force that studied the City Charter for six months. “It’s a remedy to our current problems. Its time has come.”