The policy brief was co-authored by Common Cause, State Innovation Exchange (SiX), and The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. Here you will find a selection of policy solutions, messaging guidance, and additional resources to support census preparation in your state. This brief is meant to serve as a starting point for thinking about census legislation and communication and is not meant to supersede direct discussions with local experts and advocates.

On March 18, 2019, Common Cause filed complaints with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Election Commission (FEC) alleging reason to believe that a Florida businesswoman violated campaign finance laws by enlisting and reimbursing “straw donors” tens of thousands of dollars in political contributions related to the reelection efforts of Donald Trump. The New York Times had reported on March 16 that Li Juan “Cindy” Yang appears to have recruited a number of employees and family members in order to meet the $50,000 price tag for a photo with President Trump at a Republican National Committee fundraiser at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, FL in March 2018. According to the report several of the employees of massage parlors and other businesses associated with Yang who contributed $5,400 appeared to be of modest means – working as receptionists and giving facials – and atypical of contributors giving such large amounts to political campaigns or committees.