Our Democracy

A democracy built for Us is one that encourages the best people to run for office, protects voter access to the ballot box and makes sure the ballot box arrives safely in Washington.

But well-heeled Special Interests have hijacked the ballot box, substituting the power of money for the power of votes and dictating policy outcomes in Washington.

Connect the Dots

1 of 2

Let’s look at the ballot box and connect the dots...

2010

The Supreme Court's (SCOTUS) decision in Citizens United allows shadowy special interests to spend unlimited sums in our elections.

2013

SCOTUS guts the Voting Rights Act, striking down provisions of the law that protected minorities in states with a history of voting rights discrimination.

2014

In the McCutcheon v. FEC decision, SCOTUS gives the wealthy and well-connected even more power over our democracy by allowing them to shower political candidates with up to $3.5 million -- nearly 30 times more than previous limits.

???

Why is the Roberts Supreme Court making it harder to vote in elections and much easier to buy them?

Sources: SupremeCourt.gov
Let’s look at what it takes to run for Congress and connect the dots...

$1.5 million

The average amount a candidate must raise every two years to win a Congressional election.

$1.234 billion

Amount supplied by the high-end donor class during the 2014 election cycle. This was nearly half of all federal contributions during that cycle and it came from just ¼ of 1% of the U.S. population.

30% to 70%

Percent of time the average member of Congress has to spend on fundraising and interacting with the donor class in order to raise needed funds.

Sources: Open Secrets, Lessig "Republic Lost"

The Solution

Let’s Have Citizen Owned Elections-- It’s about Us.

James Madison said, “Government should be dependent upon the people alone.” Citizen owned elections will help restore Our Democracy by giving candidates the power to run, win and serve without having to depend on Big Money.

Sign the Petition

Funding campaigns with a small donor matching system is a real solution to make sure that the voices of everyday Americans are heard again in Washington. Add your voice today by joining Us.

The Latest

Democracy

Rebecca Savransky, The Hill

A watchdog group sued the Treasury Department on Monday for records about Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and his wife's trip last month to Kentucky at the time of the solar eclipse.

Hear Us

Voices from around the country.

I’m 24 years old, recently out of college, and finally entering the work force. As an active voter, it disappoints me as an American that millionaires and billionaires are able to make my one vote seem more and more insignificant with each passing election. The size of their wallets and ability to open up massive pipelines of cash into the political process will never stop me from supporting those who have my best interest at heart. HR 20 stands up for me and millions of Americans who might not be able to write those hefty checks but find the value of casting their ballot on Election Day to be just as significant.

Dylan Goldberg, A Community Organizer from Columbia, MD

Our Democracy

Connect the Dots

Let’s look at the ballot box and connect the dots...

Let’s look at what it takes to run for Congress and connect the dots...

The Solution

Sign the Petition

The Latest

Watchdog group sues for records on Mnuchin and wife's eclipse trip

Denver City Council approves new rules requiring reports of dark-money spending in elections

Editorial: Don't pull the plug on public financing in Florida

Hear Us

Voices from around the country.