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Four Voting Rights Victories That Give Us Hope
Let’s take a minute to acknowledge the victories that make our democracy stronger and more accessible.
Résumer
Common Cause Wrapped 2024
10 Common Cause Led Victories in 2024
Common Cause had so many victories in 2024 that it’s hard to keep count! With the help of our supporters and partners, Common Cause restored net neutrality, brought fair maps to Wisconsin, ended prison gerrymandering in Minnesota, and more. While people gather for the holidays and make resolutions for the year ahead, we are taking this moment to thank our supporters for powering our progress in 2024.
1. Common Cause restored net neutrality
The Win: Net neutrality provides equal access to the internet for all users. Thanks to more than half a decade of advocacy from Common Cause supporters and our partners, the FCC voted to return control of the internet to the American people instead of corporate interests in 2024. We delivered 126,000 petition signatures directly to the FCC, thanking Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and her colleagues for this win.
Why It Matters: The internet is a gateway to democracy for many, and every voter has the right to a free and fair internet. From looking up information about candidates to finding polling sites, this net neutrality makes it easier for every voter to participate in our modern democracy.
Background: Since the repeal of net neutrality during the Trump Administration, broadband access was unregulated, and consumers were left at the mercy of internet companies. Americans have seen those companies throttle popular video streaming services, offer plans that favor their services over competitors, and degrade video quality to extract higher prices for improved quality.
The Internet is an essential public utility, and in recent years, service providers have proved incapable of delivering that service without supervision.
Net neutrality protects consumers, fosters competition, and provides us with all the news and information we need as we fight to maintain our democracy.
Why It Matters: The internet is a gateway to democracy for many, and every voter has the right to a free and fair internet. From looking up information about candidates to finding polling sites, this net neutrality makes it easier for every voter to participate in our modern democracy.
Background: Since the repeal of net neutrality during the Trump Administration, broadband access was unregulated, and consumers were left at the mercy of internet companies. Americans have seen those companies throttle popular video streaming services, offer plans that favor their services over competitors, and degrade video quality to extract higher prices for improved quality.
The Internet is an essential public utility, and in recent years, service providers have proved incapable of delivering that service without supervision.
Net neutrality protects consumers, fosters competition, and provides us with all the news and information we need as we fight to maintain our democracy.
2. Common Cause Brought Fair Maps to Wisconsin
The Win: In 2024, Common Cause helped bring fair maps to Wisconsin. The state is among the most evenly and closely divided and contested 50/50 states in the nation, and fair maps ensure that elections will be fair and competitive. This is a hard-won victory for the voters of Wisconsin. “Fairer legislative districts will lead to a legislature that works toward finding bipartisan consensus in addressing the concerns of our citizens,” shared Common Cause Wisconsin Advisory Board Co-Chair David Deininger.
Why it Matters: Voters should get to pick their leaders – leaders should not get to pick and choose their voters. But in too many states, party leaders draw unfair maps —in a process known as gerrymandering — in order to cling to power. Wisconsinites have been fighting for fair maps since 2011 and finally won fair maps this year.
Background: In 2024, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed into law the very same voting maps he submitted to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The maps were in effect for this year’s August primary and November general elections and will stay in place for years to come.
We still have work to do. We still need to enact a nonpartisan redistricting process for 2031 that takes redistricting out of the hands of partisan elected officials and entrusts it to a nonpartisan entity. Wisconsin should never again have to experience the divisive political polarization that gerrymandering has caused for over 13 years.
Why it Matters: Voters should get to pick their leaders – leaders should not get to pick and choose their voters. But in too many states, party leaders draw unfair maps —in a process known as gerrymandering — in order to cling to power. Wisconsinites have been fighting for fair maps since 2011 and finally won fair maps this year.
Background: In 2024, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed into law the very same voting maps he submitted to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The maps were in effect for this year’s August primary and November general elections and will stay in place for years to come.
We still have work to do. We still need to enact a nonpartisan redistricting process for 2031 that takes redistricting out of the hands of partisan elected officials and entrusts it to a nonpartisan entity. Wisconsin should never again have to experience the divisive political polarization that gerrymandering has caused for over 13 years.
3. Common Cause Made Campaign Spending More Transparent in Oregon
The Win: Common Cause Oregon successfully reinstated Oregon’s limits on campaign contributions for the first time in decades. The new law will help make campaign spending more transparent. “We don’t have to sell our democracy to the highest bidder. When we organize and come together in common cause, we build power and a democracy that truly works for us all,” shared Kate Titus, the Executive Director of Common Cause Oregon.
Background: This was a hard-fought victory that Common Cause, Honest Elections, the League of Women Voters, and other good government groups have worked for decades to achieve. Good government advocates passed campaign contribution limits on the ballot twice before, but these were struck down as unconstitutional. The restoration of contribution limits is a massive victory for the people of Oregon!
Background: This was a hard-fought victory that Common Cause, Honest Elections, the League of Women Voters, and other good government groups have worked for decades to achieve. Good government advocates passed campaign contribution limits on the ballot twice before, but these were struck down as unconstitutional. The restoration of contribution limits is a massive victory for the people of Oregon!
4. Common Cause Eliminated Prison Gerrymandering in Minnesota
The Win: In 2024, Minnesota ended the practice of counting incarcerated people where prisons are located instead of where they hailed from, which skewed political power within the state. Prison gerrymandering is a disgraceful practice that distorts census counts by inflating population totals where prisons are located—typically rural, politically conservative areas—and lowering them in the places prisoners come from, disproportionately communities of color in urban centers. Because Minnesota state prisoners cannot vote, their local representatives repeatedly ignored their needs.
Background: Governor Tim Walz signed into law a ban on prison gerrymandering in the state. The reform is part of an omnibus elections finance and policy bill containing other provisions to protect voting rights and expand ballot access.
This necessary reform was years in the making. “Power doesn’t like to give up power easily,” said Annastacia Belladonna-Carrera of Common Cause Minnesota.
Background: Governor Tim Walz signed into law a ban on prison gerrymandering in the state. The reform is part of an omnibus elections finance and policy bill containing other provisions to protect voting rights and expand ballot access.
This necessary reform was years in the making. “Power doesn’t like to give up power easily,” said Annastacia Belladonna-Carrera of Common Cause Minnesota.
The resistance came from people who asked why we’d need to reform something that works. My question is: Who does it work for? It may work for the political parties, but not for constituents.Annastacia Belladonna-Carrera of Common Cause Minnesota
5. Common Cause Bans Deepfakes in Political Ads in California
The Win: California Common Cause has taken the lead in protecting our elections and our democracy from the grave digital threats posed by Artificial Intelligence. Two bills introduced by our California Initiative for Technology and Democracy (CITED) were passed and signed by Governor Gavin Newsom.
Why It Matters: “At home and around the world, we’ve already seen how AI-powered disinformation can undermine the integrity of election processes and hurt voters,” said Drew Liebert, Director of CITED. “CITED’s bills represent the most nuanced, balanced, and forward-looking attempts in the United States seeking to protect our democracy from growing digital threats.”
Background: California Common Cause launched CITED in November 2023 to help California lead the fight for solutions to the threats that disinformation, AI, deepfakes, and other emerging technologies pose to our democracy and election
The first law [AB 2839] keeps misleading deepfakes out of campaign ads and election communications close to Election Day, protecting candidates and election officials while respecting the First Amendment. This law would have addressed the “Joe Biden” robocall encouraging New Hampshire Democrats to not vote in the state’s primary. The bill goes further in limiting political deepfakes than any other in the nation.
The second law [AB 2655] combats online disinformation in our elections by placing first-in-the-nation requirements on large online platforms to remove or label deceptive digital content related to elections during specified periods and requires them to provide mechanisms to report such content. It also authorizes candidates, elected officials, elections officials, the Attorney General, and a district attorney or city attorney to seek injunctive relief against a large online platform for noncompliance with the bill.
Congress has not taken any action on the federal level. “By signing our groundbreaking legislation into law, California has met this critical moment in our democracy with the nuance and ambition needed to mitigate the dangers of unregulated AI,” said Jonathan Mehta Stein, California Common Cause’s Executive Director and CITED’s Co-Founder.
Why It Matters: “At home and around the world, we’ve already seen how AI-powered disinformation can undermine the integrity of election processes and hurt voters,” said Drew Liebert, Director of CITED. “CITED’s bills represent the most nuanced, balanced, and forward-looking attempts in the United States seeking to protect our democracy from growing digital threats.”
Background: California Common Cause launched CITED in November 2023 to help California lead the fight for solutions to the threats that disinformation, AI, deepfakes, and other emerging technologies pose to our democracy and election
The first law [AB 2839] keeps misleading deepfakes out of campaign ads and election communications close to Election Day, protecting candidates and election officials while respecting the First Amendment. This law would have addressed the “Joe Biden” robocall encouraging New Hampshire Democrats to not vote in the state’s primary. The bill goes further in limiting political deepfakes than any other in the nation.
The second law [AB 2655] combats online disinformation in our elections by placing first-in-the-nation requirements on large online platforms to remove or label deceptive digital content related to elections during specified periods and requires them to provide mechanisms to report such content. It also authorizes candidates, elected officials, elections officials, the Attorney General, and a district attorney or city attorney to seek injunctive relief against a large online platform for noncompliance with the bill.
Congress has not taken any action on the federal level. “By signing our groundbreaking legislation into law, California has met this critical moment in our democracy with the nuance and ambition needed to mitigate the dangers of unregulated AI,” said Jonathan Mehta Stein, California Common Cause’s Executive Director and CITED’s Co-Founder.
6. Common Cause Banned Guns from Polling Locations in Massachusetts
The Win: Common Cause Massachusetts and Colorado passed a ban on guns at and around polling locations and government buildings, both on election day and during the early voting period.
Why It Matters: “At a time with heightened fear of political violence, the Massachusetts Legislature is sending a clear message that voters can cast a ballot without fear in the Bay State,” said Geoff Foster, Executive Director of Common Cause Massachusetts
Background: With the ongoing threat of political violence, fear, and intimidation can keep voters from exercising their freedom to vote. Banning guns from polling locations during voting ensures that Massachusettsans and Coloradans can vote with confidence.
Why It Matters: “At a time with heightened fear of political violence, the Massachusetts Legislature is sending a clear message that voters can cast a ballot without fear in the Bay State,” said Geoff Foster, Executive Director of Common Cause Massachusetts
Background: With the ongoing threat of political violence, fear, and intimidation can keep voters from exercising their freedom to vote. Banning guns from polling locations during voting ensures that Massachusettsans and Coloradans can vote with confidence.
7. Common Cause Made Trump’s New York Court Transcripts Public
The Win: Common Cause filed a lawsuit to make the transcripts of Donald Trump’s hearing public and won. New York State courts announced that transcripts in the matter of People v. Donald Trump will be made available to the public.
Why It Matters: "The Court's decision to publish daily transcripts of the ongoing criminal case against Donald Trump is a major victory for New Yorkers – and exactly why we sued for them to be public. Posting the daily transcriptions online will provide transparency, ensure fairness, deliver a greater understanding of trial proceedings, and instill confidence in the judicial system for all,” shared Susan Lerner, the Executive Director of Common Cause New York.
Background: In the People v. Donald Trump, the defendant was charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments to Stormy Daniels. He was convicted on all counts.
We successfully argued that the public is entitled to full court transcripts free of cost since the defendant, former president Trump, has sowed doubt in the public's perception of the media. Daily publication of the transcripts, in turn, would offer unbiased reporting from both left-wing and right-wing outlets.
New York State is one of the only jurisdictions in the country that does not allow visual or audio coverage of court trials.“The Court's decision should not apply in special cases only. New Yorkers deserve access to the everyday court proceedings that impact them, which is why the state must join the vast majority of other judicial systems across the country and make written transcripts of all trials available to the public, and ultimately permit proceedings to be broadcast,” said Lerner.
Why It Matters: "The Court's decision to publish daily transcripts of the ongoing criminal case against Donald Trump is a major victory for New Yorkers – and exactly why we sued for them to be public. Posting the daily transcriptions online will provide transparency, ensure fairness, deliver a greater understanding of trial proceedings, and instill confidence in the judicial system for all,” shared Susan Lerner, the Executive Director of Common Cause New York.
Background: In the People v. Donald Trump, the defendant was charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments to Stormy Daniels. He was convicted on all counts.
We successfully argued that the public is entitled to full court transcripts free of cost since the defendant, former president Trump, has sowed doubt in the public's perception of the media. Daily publication of the transcripts, in turn, would offer unbiased reporting from both left-wing and right-wing outlets.
New York State is one of the only jurisdictions in the country that does not allow visual or audio coverage of court trials.“The Court's decision should not apply in special cases only. New Yorkers deserve access to the everyday court proceedings that impact them, which is why the state must join the vast majority of other judicial systems across the country and make written transcripts of all trials available to the public, and ultimately permit proceedings to be broadcast,” said Lerner.
8. Reached 20,000 Young Voters at Carolinadaze
The Win: Common Cause North Carolina encouraged 20,000 young people to vote at the first-ever Carolinadaze music festivals featuring headliners like Janelle Monáe and Tierra Whack.
Why It Matters: The concert series successfully merged culture, community, and civic engagement in ways that will outlast any one candidate or election cycle. Thousands of young people attended, learned more about the election, and committed to deeper, ongoing engagement with our democracy.
Background: Common Cause North Carolina is building a sustained movement of young people who are ready to fight for our democracy through community building and advocacy.
Why It Matters: The concert series successfully merged culture, community, and civic engagement in ways that will outlast any one candidate or election cycle. Thousands of young people attended, learned more about the election, and committed to deeper, ongoing engagement with our democracy.
Background: Common Cause North Carolina is building a sustained movement of young people who are ready to fight for our democracy through community building and advocacy.
9. Common Cause Florida Protected Public Financing for Campaigns
The Win: Florida voters said no to state government run by billionaires and rejected a ballot measure that would have stripped public funding away from candidates for governor/lieutenant governor, attorney general, chief financial officer, and agriculture commissioner. Common Cause Florida worked hard to educate voters, the media, and civic organizations about what was at stake with Amendment 6.
Why It Matters: Running an effective statewide campaign is incredibly expensive in Florida. This discourages good people from running for office if they are not wealthy, and it means campaigns are more beholden to big-money donors. Public campaign financing increases the influence of everyday Floridians and helps enable new and more diverse leaders take the leap to run for statewide office.
Background: Public financing is part of the solution to the problem of money in politics because it increases engagement between candidates and the voters they seek to represent, makes constituents more important to campaigns, and encourages elected leaders to be more responsive to the communities they serve.
Why It Matters: Running an effective statewide campaign is incredibly expensive in Florida. This discourages good people from running for office if they are not wealthy, and it means campaigns are more beholden to big-money donors. Public campaign financing increases the influence of everyday Floridians and helps enable new and more diverse leaders take the leap to run for statewide office.
Background: Public financing is part of the solution to the problem of money in politics because it increases engagement between candidates and the voters they seek to represent, makes constituents more important to campaigns, and encourages elected leaders to be more responsive to the communities they serve.
10. Common Cause Recruited 15,000 Election Protection Volunteers
The Win: Common Cause recruited 15,000 Election Protection volunteers to assist voters at polling places across the country in the November 2024 presidential contest.
Why It Matters: Election protection efforts are a crucial line of defense for voters against suppression tactics, confusing laws, outdated infrastructure, and more. Our volunteers inform voters of their rights, help election officials handle problems in real time, and notify attorneys when the situation warrants legal intervention.
Background: The right to vote and have our voices heard is fundamental to our democracy. In defense of this right, Common Cause co-leads the Election Protection Coalition to help Americans across the country navigate the voting process and cast their ballot without obstruction, confusion, or intimidation. Our election protection efforts include deploying thousands of volunteers on the ground, recruiting a team of legal experts to staff the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline, and monitoring social media for harmful election disinformation.
For many, voting is a complex, confusing, and difficult process to navigate. We are proud that in every election since 2002, our Election Protection Coalition has been there to help voters. For two decades, we have helped all voters— Republicans, Democrats, and Independents—in making their voices heard at the ballot box.
Our measurement of success is not whether a particular candidate or party wins, but whether eligible voters can access the ballot.
Why It Matters: Election protection efforts are a crucial line of defense for voters against suppression tactics, confusing laws, outdated infrastructure, and more. Our volunteers inform voters of their rights, help election officials handle problems in real time, and notify attorneys when the situation warrants legal intervention.
Background: The right to vote and have our voices heard is fundamental to our democracy. In defense of this right, Common Cause co-leads the Election Protection Coalition to help Americans across the country navigate the voting process and cast their ballot without obstruction, confusion, or intimidation. Our election protection efforts include deploying thousands of volunteers on the ground, recruiting a team of legal experts to staff the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline, and monitoring social media for harmful election disinformation.
For many, voting is a complex, confusing, and difficult process to navigate. We are proud that in every election since 2002, our Election Protection Coalition has been there to help voters. For two decades, we have helped all voters— Republicans, Democrats, and Independents—in making their voices heard at the ballot box.
Our measurement of success is not whether a particular candidate or party wins, but whether eligible voters can access the ballot.
Votre soutien financier nous aide à avoir un impact en tenir le pouvoir responsable et renforcer la démocratie.
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