Campaign
Justice & Democracy
The mass criminalization and incarceration of people of color dis-empowers millions of people, undermining the promise of a democracy that works for everyone. Common Cause is fighting back.
The United States’ system of mass incarceration—which disproportionately targets Black and brown people—threatens the core values of our democracy. Common Cause joined the fight to end this harmful system because of our longstanding commitments to holding power accountable, defending and strengthening voting and civil rights, and ensuring that our voices (not those of monied interests) matter most in our country.
Through our Justice & Democracy Initiative, we work on issues like prison gerrymandering, or the counting of incarcerated people as residents of the prison rather than their home districts, as well as felony disenfranchisement and the political spending of incarceration-adjacent entities.
What We’re Doing
Take Action
Petition
Tell Congress: End Shameful Felony Disenfranchisement
Every American citizen deserves to be heard in our democracy. But right now, Jim Crow-era felony disenfranchisement laws deny this fundamental right to over 4.6 million Americans.
Congress must take action to fix this by passing the Inclusive Democracy Act, which would guarantee voting rights to ALL American citizens.
Your financial support helps us make an impact by holding power accountable and strengthening democracy.
Updates
Blog Post
New Report: The Atlanta Way: Cop City and Pay-to-Play
Blog Post
Conversations with My Daughter: Racial Justice and Democracy this Juneteenth
Blog Post
Black Americans have always been resistant — now it’s time for our elected officials to step up
Related Resources
Report
The Paid Jailer
Report
Zero Disenfranchisement: The Movement to Restore Voting Rights
Letter
Common Cause Urges South Carolina to Evacuate Prison Inmates in Path of Hurricane Florence
Report
Democracy Behind Bars
Press
News Clip
USA Today: Nebraska removes two-year waiting period for felons to vote
"It's a way of engaging people in their communities that was cut off before," Geis said. "So beyond getting to vote on who represents you, I think this helps tie people back into their neighbors and their community in a way that will hopefully reduce the...
Press Release
44 GROUPS URGE LAWMAKERS TO CO-SPONSOR INCLUSIVE DEMOCRACY ACT, RESTORE VOTING RIGHTS OF MILLIONS AHEAD OF THE ELECTION
News Clip
Public News Service: Bill aims to restore voting rights for those incarcerated in Alabama, US
"This is the first really expansive bill that would allow everyone -- including those who are currently incarcerated, on parole and probation -- to vote in a federal election," Desir explained.
![](https://www.commoncause.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Ric-Bainter-A1050x1050.jpg)
Ric Bainter
Member