Legislation
Voting & Fair Representation: Protecting Your Voice
We all deserve a say in choosing leaders who will fight for us in the halls of power. The right to vote must be secure, fair, and open to all.
Our votes are how we decide the future for our families, our communities, and our country. But too often, politicians pass unfair voting rules that drown out the voices of everyday people or rig legislative maps so we don’t get a real choice.
That’s why Common Cause protects your voice at the ballot box, in Congress, in state legislatures, in the courts, and beyond.
We have passed hundreds of commonsense solutions that give every American a say in our future – including vote-by-mail, online voter registration, early voting, and independent redistricting – and blocked voter suppression policies like strict voter ID and purges of registered voters.
What We’re Doing
National Campaign
Mid‑Decade Redistricting: Democracy on the Line
Common Cause has released fairness criteria for mid-decade redistricting, so we can respond to the most urgent threats to fair representation and put people, not parties, first.
Legislation
Restoring the Right to Vote for Incarcerated Citizens
This groundbreaking legislation is critical to creating a more inclusive democracy in Illinois by restoring voting rights to individuals in prison and expanding civics education within our correctional system.
We are proud to work with our partners in the Unlock Civics Coalition to get this passed in Illinois.
We are proud to work with our partners in the Unlock Civics Coalition to get this passed in Illinois.
Petition
Tell Congress: REJECT the anti-voter SAVE Act
Every eligible American deserves the freedom to vote without jumping through impossible hoops.
But the SAVE Act would scare newly naturalized citizens out of voting and make it harder for millions of eligible voters to cast a ballot – especially seniors, women, students, veterans, and rural voters.
REJECT the anti-voter SAVE Act and protect our right to vote.
form
Protect Voter Privacy
Before Common Cause takes the next step to protect voters’ private information, we need to hear directly from members like you.
form
Tell Us Why Vote-By-Mail Matters to You
Vote-by-mail is essential for millions of Americans who might not otherwise be able to participate in our democracy. As threats to mail voting continue nationwide, we’re gathering real stories from voters who depend on it and the barriers they may face trying to vote in person. Your answers will help us understand how vote-by-mail supports your ability to participate — and what challenges you would face without it. A member of our team may contact...
Your financial support helps us make an impact by holding power accountable and strengthening democracy.
Updates
Article
National Voter Registration Day: Time to Check Your Registration!
Common Cause Illinois is part of the largest nonpartisan election protection program, which runs the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline and protectthevote.net website
Article
Voting Rights Groups Host Virtual Youth Action Summit
Common Cause Illinois and She Votes Illinois will co–host a virtual Youth Action Summit
Article
Democracy Advocacy Groups Launch Joint Election Protection Program
Common Cause Illinois and the League of Women Voters of Chicago to Train and Deploy Volunteer Poll-Watchers and Monitors in Joint Effort to Ensure Election Integrity
Related Resources
Guide
The SAVE Act Myth vs. Fact
Guide
Explainer: Trump’s Executive Order Attacking Voting Rights
By: Dan Vicuna
Guide
Explainer: Trump Administration’s Proposal to Task USPS with Census Enumeration
The United States Postal Service is a highly trusted, independent agency that provides a critical service to the public. Tasking the USPS with conducting the census will lead to increased costs, overburdened postal workers, and service delays.
Press
Press Release
Voting Rights Groups, Illinois Voters File Motion to Protect Privacy Against DOJ Overreach
Groups, voters seek to intervene in DOJ’s lawsuit demanding sensitive Illinois voter data
Press Release
Illinois Redistricting Must Protect Fair Representation and Meet Common Cause Fairness Criteria
Common Cause, the nation’s premier redistricting leader, is urging Illinois state legislators to ensure that any mid-decade redistricting meets the organization’s six fairness criteria.
Press Release
Problems Voting? Call or Text Nonpartisan Hotline for Help
As Election Day 2024 nears, Common Cause Illinois is encouraging voters who need assistance to contact the nonpartisan Election Protection hotline to make sure their vote counts this year.
Agnes Gray
Community Engagement Organizer
Elizabeth Grossman
Executive Director