Our Impact
Common Cause Rhode Island has been fighting for and winning key democracy reforms since our founding in 1970.
Common Cause Rhode Island has been fighting for and winning key democracy reforms since our founding in 1970.
We’ve worked to create a constitutional ethics commission, reform our legislature, enact merit selection of judges, put separation of powers into our state constitution, and expand voting rights, and much more.
1970
John W. Gardner, a Republican who served in the Cabinet of President Lyndon Johnson (a Democrat) launches Common Cause as an independent, non-partisan organization “for those Americans who want to help in the rebuilding of the nation.” 4,000 people responded to his initial newspaper ad calling for support—several of whom are still Common Cause members to this day. Common Cause rises to prominence in the anti-Vietnam War movement, lobbying Congress to cut off funding for the war effort.
Natalie C. Joslin responds to John Gardner’s ad and holds the first meeting of Common Cause Rhode Island. She volunteers with the organization, including serving as president of the Rhode Island board, for 52 years.
1986
Created one of the first constitutional ethics commissions in the United States with the power to enact an independent code of ethics.
1992
Strengthened the executive branch by enacting four-year terms for statewide officers, including governor.
1994
Enacted the most sweeping overhaul to judicial selection in the United States by adopting the transparent merit selection system.
2004
Ended more than 200 years of legislative supremacy by enacting the Separation of Powers amendments.
2006
Passed a ballot measure automatically restoring full voting rights to the formerly incarcerated post release, becoming the first in the nation.
2012
Passed the Transparency in Political Spending Act, creating one of the most robust disclosure requirements for independent expenditures and electioneering communications in the nation.
2016
Restored the full jurisdiction of the state’s ethics commission over members of our General Assembly.
2017
Became only the second state in the nation to require statewide risk-limiting post election audits.
2022
Passed the Let RI Vote Act, expanding access to the ballot through early voting and vote by mail.
Common Cause Rhode Island makes a difference
Expanding Voting Rights in Rhode Island
In 2022, the Let RI Vote Act was signed into law after a hard-fought campaign by Common Cause Rhode Island. The law makes elections in our state more accessible to eligible voters as well as more secure. Among other provisions, it requires the state to create a secure online mail ballot application system, conduct more frequent voter roll cleanups, and provide a multilingual voter hotline.
Fighting for a Complete Census Count
Common Cause Rhode Island helped make the 2020 Census a success in our state. We worked closely with partners, held informational events for Rhode Island residents, and even helped lead the state’s Complete Count Committee—which utilizes local knowledge and resources to educate communities and get out the count. This concerted effort helped Rhode Island maintain its second seat in the U.S. House and bring valuable financial resources back to the state.
