Evaluation of term limits in the New York City Council

Founded in 1897, Citizens Union is a nonpartisan, good government group dedicated to making democracy work for all New Yorkers. Citizens Union serves as a civic watchdog, combating corruption and fighting for political reform. As there is no recent quantitative research available on the effects of term limits in the New York City Council, Citizens Union engaged the services of a Capstone team to conduct a policy evaluation. The team used original surveys, interviews, a literature review, and demographic analysis of elected officials to determine the effects of term limits on staff influence, constituent responsiveness, balance of power, and overall effectiveness of the Council. The team’s final report will help Citizens Union determine the impact of term limits on the New York City Council and inform future policy positions regarding the issue.