Connecticut, A National Leader in Voting Rights! 

CT Secretary of the State Denise Merrill; Cheri Quickmire, Executive Director of Common Cause CT; State Representative Russ Morin; and Karen Hobert Flynn, Vice President of State Operations Common Cause celebrate passing Election Day Registration in Connecticut

In a year where the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has been successful in passing laws restricting voting rights around the country, there is fantastic news from Connecticut.  On Saturday, May 5^th, the State Senate passed a bill providing for Election Day voter registration as well as online registration. The action followed an April 30 vote in the Connecticut House of Representatives. The bill passed in both chambers, largely on party lines with the Democratic majority supporting this important reform. This win was a long time coming and the product of support from Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, Governor  Dannel P. Malloy, House and Senate leaders and the Chairs of the Government Administration and Elections Committee, Representative Russ Morin and Senator Gayle Slossberg. 

Along with expanding voting rights in Connecticut, we must still fight to keep our elections fair and transparent. That is why Common Cause in Connecticut continues to work with policy makers to let them know how damaging the Supreme Court Citizens United decision is to our democracy. The Connecticut General Assembly passed a strong Disclosure bill in May of 2010 after the Supreme Court’s misguided ruling, which allowed corporations to use their profits to spend unlimited amounts of money in elections.   Connecticut’s disclosure bill was a good first step in revealing who is behind these damaging ads, but we need to do more. 

In the last days of the 2012 legislative session, the Connecticut General Assembly is considering a bill to strengthen Connecticut’s Disclose Law to include shareholder notification by corporations who are considering spending profits on advertising to influence our elections. Time is growing short.   UPDATE:  H.B. 5556 passed the State House on Tuesday, May 7th, and needs to be called in the Senate.

Our elected officials need to know that people care about this issue – one call from you makes a big difference! Take action now with a quick call to your legislator and ask that he or she support Raised Bill 5556, An Act Concerning Changes to the Public Financing Act and Other Election Laws.

Find your legislator here. 

Common Cause Rhode Island is a proud member of the coalition, Rhode Islanders for Fair Elections. The group supports a voluntary program of publicly funded campaigns. This issue is at the heart of the Common Cause mission of taking the special interest money out of the political process.

The coalition will hold a press conference in the Rotunda of the State House on Tuesday, February 3rd at 3:30 p.m, announcing the introduction of our legislation for the 2009 session.

Speakers include:
• Senator Rhoda Perry, Senate sponsor
• Representative Edith Ajello, House sponsor
• Nancy Davis, publicly funded state representative from Maine
• Sheila Dormady, Director of Clean Water Action
• Rev. Dr. Don Anderson, Executive Minister of RI State Council of Churches
• Phoebe Neels, Democracy Matters Student Representative

Please show your support for separating money from politics in Rhode Island by attending the press conference or contacting Common Cause to get involved in the coalition.

Mary Elizabeth Marshall has been named Associate Director of Common Cause Rhode Island. The non-partisan group works to achieve open, accountable and effective government through advocacy and education. Marshall’s portfolio for Common Cause includes development and communications for the organization.

John Marion, Executive Director of Common Cause RI says, “We’re excited at Common Cause to have MaryBeth come on board and lead our efforts to expand our membership and improve our outreach. She brings tremendous skills and experience to the position, as well as enthusiasm for our agenda of reform. While Common Cause has experienced tremendous success in the past, our organization is only as strong as our membership, and MaryBeth’s abilities will allow us to grow our group.”

Over four years after 78.3% of Rhode Island voters spoke loudly in demand of Separation of Powers (SOP), their will has been validated. Today the Rhode Island Supreme Court issued an advisory opinion that loudly and clearly enforces the will of the people of Rhode Island in their demand for checks and balances. The issue now is settled, the final chapter is written, and Separation of Powers is ready to be put to rest.

The Supreme Court ruled on four questions submitted by the House of Representatives with regard to the 2004 amendment. Three questions dealt with whether the powerful Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) is subject to the amendment. A fourth question asked whether or not the governor’s power to appoint the members of all state executive boards and commissions, with the Senate’s advice and consent, is “self-executing.” In other words, did that power go in to effect when the voters passed it, or does the General Assembly need to pass additional legislation before the amendment can go into effect? The court’s answers are clear; the CRMC is subject to SOP and the SOP amendment is self-executing.

John Marion has been named the Executive Director of Common Cause RI. Common Cause RI is a non-partisan advocacy group which works for open, ethical and accountable government. Marion takes the helm of RI’s most effective “citizens’ lobby” at a time when Rhode Island government faces challenges on many fronts.

According to Kevin McAllister, President of the RI Common Cause Governing Board, “John Marion will provide a strong voice for Rhode Island’s citizens. His energy and grasp of the workings of government will make him an effective spokesperson and advocate for Common Cause RI. Under his leadership, Common Cause RI will continue to fight for the implementation of the Separation of Powers amendment; a strong Ethics Commission; clean elections; and open, accountable governance in the executive, legislative and judicial branches.”

John Marion comes to Common Cause RI with a deep knowledge of the issues and dynamics of state and national politics. He has eight years of experience teaching American government at the university level. Marion is a graduate of Binghamton University in New York and did extensive graduate work in Political Science at Indiana University. His research focus included: state politics, policy and administration; elections, campaign finance and candidate behavior; and the role of non-governmental institutions in elections. Marion has served as an Instructor at Indiana University Bloomington, a Visiting and Adjunct Lecturer at Indiana University South Bend and an Instructor with the Indiana University School of Continuing Studies.

John Marion and his family moved to Providence, RI in 2001 and he continued to teach as an on-line instructor with the Indiana University Department of Continuing Studies. Marion and his wife, Karen Ng, a physician employed by Providence Community Health Centers, have twin daughters.

John Marion succeeds Christine Lopes as Executive Director. Christine joined Common Cause RI in 2006 and is leaving to complete her master’s degree in public administration at Suffolk University in Boston.

Please join Common Cause Rhode Island at its 38th Annual Meeting on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston.

Featuring Dinner and Conversation with Senator Lincoln Chafee. Senator Chafee will reflect on his time in office as described in his book, “Against the Tide: How a Compliant Congress Empowered a Reckless President.” Join Common Cause to learn how we can fight the tide here in Rhode Island and in Washington.

Excellence in Public Service Award to be presented to:
WRNI

Tickets must be purchased in advance. RSVP by Friday, October 10. For more information, please call: Office Administrator Deborah Jones at 401 861-2322.

Support Election Day Registration - AB 1436 (Feuer)

59% of eligible CA voters casted their vote in 2008, 43% in 2010. We must do better!

Support Assembly Bill 1436, Election Day Registration. It's time to allow eligible voters to register to vote on election day and the two weeks leading up to it. Voting should be open to any citizen who is eligible and willing to exercise this fundamental democratic right. States with Election Day Registration lead the nation in voter turnout.

Sign our Petition here and join the campaign to bring more voters to the polls!