Campaign

Internet Access For All

Internet access has become crucial for participating in our Democracy. Yet the digital divide prevents over 4 million Americans from accessing internet connection.

The Digital Divide is the Civil Rights Issue of Our Time

Illustration of people in homes on devices looking up the following election information questions Am I Registered To Vote? What do i need to bring to vote? Who is on my ballot? Am i eligible to vote?

Why is Internet Access a Democracy Issue?

In the modern age, the internet is necessary for access to education, health care, and connection to friends and family. The past decade has also confirmed that internet access is crucial to actively participating in our modern democracy. Our phones, tablets, and laptops have become tools for:

  • Checking voter registration status online
  • Accessing voting instructions, wait times,  and deadlines
  • Looking up information about candidates/ ballot issues
  • Sharing election information with community members

The Digital Divide Leaves 1 in 5 Americans Disconnected. illustration of 4 houses and an apartment buildings with internet access. One of the houses does not have internet.

Why is the Digital Divide a problem?

1 in 5 Americans cannot afford the internet connection they need to participate as equals in our modern society.

This Digital Divide impacts the Black, Latine, Indigenous, Older, Low Income, and Disabled communities the most. These communities often exist in Information gaps making them vulnerable to mis and disinformation about our democratic process.

The Digital Divide by the Numbers

80%

of white americans have access to home internet

https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2024/01/31/americans-use-of-mobile-technology-and-home-broadband/

68%

of Black americans have access to home internet

https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2024/01/31/americans-use-of-mobile-technology-and-home-broadband/

86%

Of Suburban homes have access to home internet

https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2024/01/31/americans-use-of-mobile-technology-and-home-broadband/

73%

Of Rural Homes have access to home internet

https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2024/01/31/americans-use-of-mobile-technology-and-home-broadband/

65%

of Tribal Rural lands have access to home internet

https://www.bia.gov/service/infrastructure/expanding-broadband-access

41%

of Americans report using the internet almost constantly

https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2024/01/31/americans-use-of-mobile-technology-and-home-broadband/

What is Internet like where you live?

What is Internet like where you live?

Help us hold power accountable to protecting our Digital Civil Rights!
We are looking for stories from everyday Americans on media issues that impact our lives, our access to reliable information, and participation in our democracy.

First look at what broadband looks like in your area and compare to other areas.

Second- Submit a challenge if the FCC map is inaccurate

Last- Tell us more about how internet access impacts your daily life

View the FCC's National Broadband Map Share your Story

What We’re Doing


National Popular Vote

Campaign

National Popular Vote

Common Cause is working to ensure everyone's vote truly counts in presidential elections.
Stopping a Dangerous Article V Convention

Campaign

Stopping a Dangerous Article V Convention

Wealthy special interests are pushing for a constitutional convention that could put everyone in America’s rights up for grabs. It's on us to stop them.
Common Cause v. Raffensperger

Georgia Litigation

Common Cause v. Raffensperger

Black voters in Georgia saw their voting power diminished in the last redistricting cycle. In response, Common Cause, the League of Women Voters of Georgia, and a group of Georgia voters filed a federal lawsuit challenging Georgia’s congressional map.
Republican Party of New Mexico v. Oliver Amicus Brief

New Mexico Litigation

Republican Party of New Mexico v. Oliver Amicus Brief

Common Cause New Mexico and our partners filed an amicus brief in support of neither party to provide guidance to the court in this challenge to the state's congressional district map.
Common Cause Indiana v. City of Anderson

Indiana Litigation

Common Cause Indiana v. City of Anderson

Common Cause Indiana, the Anderson-Madison County NAACP, the League of Women Voters Indiana, and individual voters filed a lawsuit in federal court, asserting Anderson’s city council districts were malapportioned in violation of federal and state law.

Your financial support helps us make an impact by holding power accountable and strengthening democracy.

Donate

Related Resources

See all Related Resources

Position Paper

How Title II Protects Our Digital Civil Rights

Close

Close

Hello! It looks like you're joining us from {state}.

Want to see what's happening in your state?

Go to Common Cause {state}