Article
Welcome to our 2025 Legislative Interns
Get to know our new 2025 Legislative Interns and learn more about their work over the course of the 90-day session
Anti-Corruption & Accountability: Working For The People
We deserve a government that is as honest and hardworking as the people it represents.
For government to serve the people, it has to be accountable to the people and no one else. But Supreme Court rulings like Citizens United have let billionaires and special interests buy unlimited influence, so they can get their way at the rest of our expense.
Common Cause is the leading watchdog group calling out corruption where we see it and passing laws that put power in the hands of everyday people.
That means demanding common-sense limits on money in politics, transparency into who’s funding lobbying and campaigns, strong rules to stop government corruption, and small-dollar public financing to give ordinary people a fighting chance against Big Money.
Your financial support helps us make an impact by holding power accountable and strengthening democracy.
Updates
Blog Post
‘Yes’ for the Baltimore County Citizens’ Election Fund
Ballot Question A asks whether Baltimore County voters want to establish a Citizens' Election Fund, also known as a fair elections program, in the county. There are four main reasons to vote Yes for A: keep big money out of politics, expand opportunities to run for office, give everyone a voice, and encourage more participation in our democracy.
Blog Post
Baltimore Fair Election Fund: A Program Young People Can Afford to Invest In
The Baltimore Fair Election Fund is designed to limit the influence of big money, while building the power of small donations. Strengthening the voices and political power of everyday people, including young people.
Related Resources
Report
Campaigns in Maryland: Does it Still Cost a lot to Win?
Common Cause Maryland has analyzed legislative candidates’ fundraising totals from the 2018 election cycle. This report is a sequel to our report “Campaigns in Maryland: An Analysis of Fundraising by Winning State Legislators, 2011-2014.”
Fair Elections in Montgomery County
Montgomery County's matching program for small contributions delivers promising results. Our report analyzed fundraising data released after the first 2018 county election candidate reporting deadline.
Lobbying the Maryland Legislature
Lobbying expenditures grew by a staggering 40% among the top 10 paying employers. Report analyzing the lobbying activity during Maryland’s 2017 legislative session
Running for Baltimore
Donors appear to play by their own rules, either exploiting loopholes in Maryland’s campaign finance law — or violating it altogether. Research analyzes what candidates spent, where funds came from in 2016 Elections
Press
Press Release
Common Cause Leads Fight to Restore Inspector Generals’ Access to Public Records
New bill protects transparency after Attorney General guidance hamstrings anti-corruption watchdogs
Press Release
Voting Rights Coalition Urges Lawmakers to Pass Pro-Voter Bills to Strengthen Economic Opportunity
Democracy reform key to tackling the affordability crisis
Press Release
Advocates Win Major Inspector General Reform in Baltimore County
After calls from Common Cause Maryland and other good government groups, the Baltimore County Council approved a charter amendment yesterday to reform how the county’s Inspector General is appointed.