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The effort was applauded Friday by the government watchdog Common Cause. “Congress is finally listening to the growing demands for reform from the American people,” the group’s president, Karen Hobert Flynn, said in a statement. “On Election Day, voters from coast-to coast sent a clear message that we are ready for bold, comprehensive democracy reforms.”

"That is not the vindication that Kid Rock or his lawyers would perhaps like the public to believe. There was no vindication here," said Paul S. Ryan, the vice president for policy and litigation at Common Cause. "A lot of people considered Donald Trump’s campaign to be celebrity parody in its early stages, and the Republicans don't acknowledge that in any way," Ryan added. "It's just a very weak basis for them not to pursue enforcement here."

Passage of this legislation continues to be a priority for Common Cause Rhode Island, a government group. John Marion, the executive director, said Wednesday he’s hopeful. “Some of the political obstacles are fading because both voters and politicians are understanding the value of early voting,” he said.

Damon Effingham, director of the Common Cause Maryland nonprofit, praised Hogan's executive order to create a commission but said enduring redistricting changes were needed. "There are limits to the commission, as without a decision from the Supreme Court or legislation from the General Assembly, Marylanders aren't guaranteed to continue having an open, non-partisan process under future governors," Effingham said.

“It's a charade played by candidates,” said campaign finance expert Paul S. Ryan of the good government group Common Cause. “Their lawyers have told them, 'Keep your mouth shut, because if you don’t, there are legal ramifications. But the FEC will let us get away with it if you just stay quiet.'”

The irony is richer than Ivanka Trump herself. The president's daughter routinely conducted government business from her personal email in violation of federal rules, according to The Washington Post. All the while chants of "lock her up" still reverberate at President Donald Trump's rallies, even after he made Hillary Clinton's email use a central issue of his 2016 campaign. Just last week, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said he would further investigate the FBI's handling of Clinton's emails if he chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee next year.