Common Cause is taking a serious financial hit to ensure we remain an independent voice for We The People and nobody else.

The Truth About the Misleading Mailers in California

Last month, California voters received a mailer that falsely implied we oppose the state drawing new maps to counterbalance Texas and other states’ pro-GOP gerrymanders.

The source of these mailers? California billionaire Charles Munger Jr. – who we’ve worked with in the past on fair redistricting, and is now bankrolling the campaign against California’s ballot measure.

So, we wrote to Mr. Munger, demanding that he remove our name from his mailers and returning a $200,000 contribution we received from him last month to support our voter education work. 

Why Integrity Matters More Than Big Money

That’s serious money – especially for an organization like Common Cause, and especially when we’re already stretching every dollar we’ve got as American democracy faces truly unprecedented threats.

But Common Cause is not for sale. Our principles, and the mission that you’ve entrusted us with, must always come first.

Our Members vs. One Billionaire: The Choice Was Clear

When we announced we wouldn’t oppose California’s redistricting plan – because it complied with the fairness criteria our experts developed – nearly all of you who wrote back (over 95%) said you agreed with our decision.

But Mr. Munger didn’t … as we learned from a few angry phone calls. But with the lion’s share of members like you on one side, and one billionaire on the other – we had to go with the people, not the money.

Common Cause won’t be bought. That’s what we said in our letter to Munger, and we hope it’s as important to you as it is to us.

Standing Strong for Democracy, Thanks to You

It’s thanks to members like YOU that we can hold firm to what we believe – and we’re proud we can rely on thousands of committed folks like you to power our work, so we aren’t beholden to any one individual.