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Katie Scally
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202-736-5713
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kcolston@commoncause.org
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Common Cause’s network of national and state democracy reform experts are frequent media commentators. To talk with one of our experts, please reach out to any member of the press team above.
Press Release
Common Cause Hire Bolsters Voting & Democracy Program for 2024 Election
With the 2024 primaries underway and the general election fast approaching, Common Cause is pleased to announce Jay Young as its Senior Director of Voting & Democracy. In the newly-created position, he will oversee the organization’s legislative, operational, and legal strategies to advance reforms that allow all Americans to participate in elections and to oppose efforts to restrict voting rights.
News Clip
NBC News: Wisconsin is lagging behind other swing states in shoring up election policies following 2020 chaos
Jay Heck, the executive director Common Cause Wisconsin, the state’s branch of the national nonpartisan government watchdog group, added that the consequences could be dire if the right mix of circumstances were to emerge on or following Election Day.
“It could all explode,” he said.
The April 2 primary ballot in Wisconsin will ask voters to decide on two proposed constitutional amendments that critics contend are byproducts of conspiracy theories touted by election deniers.
“[Passage of...
“It could all explode,” he said.
The April 2 primary ballot in Wisconsin will ask voters to decide on two proposed constitutional amendments that critics contend are byproducts of conspiracy theories touted by election deniers.
“[Passage of...
News Clip
Minnesota Reformer (Op-Ed): Minnesota needs an independent citizen redistricting commission
Until we pass a constitutional amendment creating an independent redistricting commission, the power will always reside with partisan interests of those drawing our district voting maps. It’s time for us to get the power back. Reforms should come from us, impacted Minnesotans, not legislative or party establishment.
Press Release
Common Cause Arizona on Advancement of New Ballot Image Bill
Concerns remain around the reintroduction of a previously vetoed bill
News Clip
WIRED: Inside Election Conspiracy Groups on Super Tuesday
Election integrity group Common Cause pointed out in a post on X that the picture wasn’t actually showing a voting machine but rather what's called an “emergency drawer.”
“It is a locked, secure ballot receptacle to store and scan ballots ensuring they're included in the polling place's count at the end of the day,” the group explained.
“It is a locked, secure ballot receptacle to store and scan ballots ensuring they're included in the polling place's count at the end of the day,” the group explained.
News Clip
Oregon Capital Chronicle: House leaders make last-ditch effort on campaign finance reform
Kate Titus, executive director of Common Cause Oregon, called the amendment “a testament to the hubris of the political donor class” in written testimony. The nonprofit, nonpartisan Common Cause supports IP 9, the stricter measure backed by Honest Elections Oregon.
“Oregon voters will have no trouble seeing through this,” Titus wrote.
“Oregon voters will have no trouble seeing through this,” Titus wrote.
News Clip
San Francisco Chronicle/CalMatters: Cupertino Lawmaker Co-Authors Bill To Translate Ballots, Help More Non-English Speakers Vote
"We want voters to trust the government and that boils down to a voter in any community being able to understand what is happening in their own community," said Pedro Hernandez, a policy director at California Common Cause, which cosponsored the bill.
"In order for California to build trust, it has to be a multiracial and multilingual democracy, which means prioritizing and centering in language access," said Hernandez at Common Cause.
Common Cause was one of a dozen organizations that participated in the...
"In order for California to build trust, it has to be a multiracial and multilingual democracy, which means prioritizing and centering in language access," said Hernandez at Common Cause.
Common Cause was one of a dozen organizations that participated in the...
News Clip
Houston Chronicle: His life became a ‘nightmare’ when he went viral for voting in Texas. The trauma still lingers.
Rogers' instinct could be correct, according to Anthony Gutierrez, the executive director of Common Cause Texas.
“Cases like this can absolutely have a chilling effect, and you have to wonder if that’s part of the point,” Gutierrez said. “The state could very easily take proactive steps to ensure people who are starting probation or parole are clearly told how their legal status impacts their ability to vote.”
“Cases like this can absolutely have a chilling effect, and you have to wonder if that’s part of the point,” Gutierrez said. “The state could very easily take proactive steps to ensure people who are starting probation or parole are clearly told how their legal status impacts their ability to vote.”
News Clip
Colorado Newsline: ‘Dark day for democracy’: Coloradans highlight election threats in wake of 14th Amendment ruling
In a statement, Aly Belknap, executive director of the nonprofit Colorado Common Cause, which filed several amicus, or friend-of-the-court, briefs in support of the Colorado plaintiffs, called the ruling “a dark day for our democracy.”
“Donald Trump lied, cheated, and unleashed violence when the election did not go his way, and his ongoing incitement has led to an unprecedented rise in attacks and death threats against election workers, judges, and other public servants,” Belknap said. “By refusing to hold Trump...
“Donald Trump lied, cheated, and unleashed violence when the election did not go his way, and his ongoing incitement has led to an unprecedented rise in attacks and death threats against election workers, judges, and other public servants,” Belknap said. “By refusing to hold Trump...
Press Release
In Major Setback for Democracy, Insurrectionist is Allowed to Stay on Ballot
"For over 200 years, all but one of our leaders have abided by the Constitution and practiced the peaceful transfer of power."
News Clip
Yahoo! News/PolitiFact: Yes, an Arizona voter received two mail ballots. That’s not a sign of wrongdoing or fraud.
Voters can do their part by updating their voter registration in a timely fashion, said Jenny Guzman, program director of Common Cause Arizona.
News Clip
Santa Fe New Mexican (Op-Ed): Effort to modernize Legislature casualty of broken system
Outsiders coming to our state often notice how New Mexico is years behind similar states in terms of infrastructure, education, poverty, community well-being and just about any other statistic you use to measure the success of a society.
The reputation tracks with a flawed legislative structure that is impeding progress on many levels. We are the only state where legislators do not receive a salary. Most lack professional staff to conduct policy research and constituent services, and they meet for the third-shortest amount of...
The reputation tracks with a flawed legislative structure that is impeding progress on many levels. We are the only state where legislators do not receive a salary. Most lack professional staff to conduct policy research and constituent services, and they meet for the third-shortest amount of...
