Democracy Reform Is On The Ballot In 2016

Democracy Reform Is On The Ballot In 2016

List of 2016 pro-democracy ballot measures Common Cause is working on and watching

Voters from coast to coast will vote on pro-democracy reform measures in the 2016 election. Here are a few that Common Cause is supporting and/or working on:

Alaska

  • Automatic Voter Registration (Measure 1): This initiative would allow voters to be automatically registered to vote when they apply for the permanent fund dividend (PFD), a yearly dividend funded by oil wealth that is received by nearly 90% of the Alaskan population. The measure has bipartisan support, including the endorsement of both of Alaska’s Republican U.S. senators, Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan.

California

  • Strengthening Legislative Transparency (Proposition 54): California Common Cause is co-leading a campaign to pass Proposition 54, which would strengthen transparency in the state legislature and increase citizens’ access to information.
  • Overturning Citizens United (Proposition 59): California Common Cause is co-leading a campaign to pass Proposition 59, which calls on Congress to pass a constitutional amendment to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. FEC decision.
  • Berkeley Citizen Funded Elections (Measure XI): California Common Cause is co-leading a campaign to create a more representative and accountable government in Berkeley with a citizen funded elections program.
  • Sacramento Redistricting Reform (Measure L): California Common Cause is supporting Measure L, which would create an independent citizens-led redistricting commission to draw city council districts. 
  • San Francisco Lobbying & Ethics Reform (Proposition T): California Common Cause is supporting Proposition T, which would strengthen the city’s lobbying and ethics laws to create a more accountable government.

Maryland

  • Howard County Citizen Funded Elections (Question A): Common Cause Maryland is leading a campaign to create a more representative and accountable government in Howard County with citizen funded elections.

Maine

  • Ranked Choice Voting (Question 5): This initiative would take on political polarization and establish statewide ranked choice voting.

Missouri

  • Contribution Limits (Amendment 2): This initiative would establish limits on campaign contributions for state and judicial candidates, committees, and political parties.

Oregon

  • Benton County Ranked Choice Voting (Measure 2-100): This initiative would take on political polarization and establish ranked choice voting in Benton County.

Rhode Island

  • Ethics Reform (Question 2): Common Cause Rhode Island is leading the campaign to pass Question 2, which would restore the Ethics Commission’s constitutional authority to police ethics violations by members of the General Assembly.

South Dakota

  • Anti-Corruption Act (Measure 22): This initiative would put limits on donations from parties, political action committees, and lobbyists, require more transparency, and institute other money in politics reforms.
  • Redistricting Reform (Amendment T): This initiative would create a statewide independent redistricting commission. 

Washington

  • Overturning Citizens United (Initiative 735): This initiative calls on Congress to pass a constitutional amendment to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. FEC decision.
  • Accountability & Transparency (Initiative 1464): This initiative includes a menu of changes that includes publicly funded vouchers and a ban on large campaign contributions from lobbyists and public contractors.