Links to Democracy Supporters
Advancement Project www.advancementproject.orgAdvancement Project is a policy, communications and legal action group committed to racial and social justice. To dismantle structural exclusion, Advancement Project partners with community organizations bringing them the tools of legal advocacy and strategic communications. Their two-plane implementation theory allows the organization to operate locally, directly contributing hands-on support, while working national to broadly extend the practice of community-centered racial justice. Advancement Project’s diversely skilled staff enables them to make contributions across the country.
American Civil Liberties Union www.aclu.orgACLU is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that has grown from a roomful of civil liberties activists to an organization of more than 500,000 members and supporters. It handles nearly 6,000 court cases annually from our offices in almost every state. The ACLU has maintained the position that civil liberties must be respected, even in times of national emergency. It works also to extend rights to segments of our population that have traditionally been denied their rights, including Native Americans and other people of color; lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people; women; mental-health patients; prisoners; people with disabilities; and the poor. It believes that if the rights of society's most vulnerable members are denied, everybody's rights are imperiled.
Arizona Advocacy Network www.azadvocacy.orgThe Arizona Advocacy Network promotes social, economic, racial and environmental justice by connecting and building power among activists and leaders in those fields, and by leading efforts for electoral justice and increased civic participation. Arizona Advocacy Network works directly to promote protecting and improving citizen access to voting, defending and promoting public financing of campaigns for political office at all levels, ensuring viable accuracy of voting machines, protecting the right to initiative and referendum, promoting instant runoff voting and working to increase the number of competitive elections.
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center www.ballot.orgThe Ballot Initiative Strategy Center (BISC) was launched five years ago to reinvigorate the initiative process among state and national progressive organizations by providing education, training, and research so that a wide range of ideologically progressive groups can use the process more effectively to fight for social, environmental, and economic justice. BISC Foundation, the organization's 501c3 educational arm, tracks ballot measure developments, contributions to ballot measure campaigns and trains people to work on ballot initiatives. By developing major infrastructure, building efforts in research, training and consulting, BISC has become the premier organization to help progressives have an effective ballot initiative strategy.
The Brennan Center for Justice www.brennancenter.orgThe Brennan Center for Justice is a non-partisan public policy and law institute that focuses on the fundamental issues of democracy and justice. The Center's work ranges from voting rights to redistricting reform, from access to the courts to presidential power in the fight against terrorism. A single institution - part think tank, part public interest law firm, part advocacy group - the Brennan Center combines scholarship, legislative and legal advocacy, and communications to win meaningful, measurable change in the public sector. Along with Justice Brennan, the Center believes that a "living constitution" is the genius of American law and politics - and that the test of our institutions is the ability to apply timeless values to a changing world.
Californians for Electoral Reform www.cfer.orgCalifornians for Election Reform (CfER) is a nonpartisan coalition of Californians who believe that all citizens deserve equal and satisfactory representation in government. The organization works to promote and implement voting methods that fulfill this right as much as possible. Their main reforms are instant runoff voting and proportional representation. In 2002 CFER supported a successful campaign for instant runoff voting in San Francisco, and it continues to support IRV and proportional voting in local and student elections across the state.
The Campaign Legal Center www.camlc.orgThe Campaign Legal Center is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works in the areas of campaign finance and elections, political communication and government ethics. The Legal Center offers nonpartisan analyses of issues and represents the public interest in administrative, legislative and legal proceedings. The Legal Center also participates in generating and shaping our nation's policy debate about money in politics, disclosure, political advertising, and enforcement issues before the Congress, the Federal Communications Commission, Federal Election Commission and the Internal Revenue Service.
Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest www.clpi.orgCitizen participation is the essence of democracy, and nonprofit organizations are one of the most effective vehicles for engaging people in the democratic process. Lobbying is an important activity that nonprofits can undertake to achieve their missions and foster democracy. Through lobbying, nonprofit volunteers and staff provide vital expertise and perspectives to federal, state and local government decision-makers, resulting in better law and policy. These beliefs and the need to preserve them led to CLPI’s founding in 1998.
The Century Foundation www.tcf.orgThe Century Foundation, founded in 1919 by the progressive businessman Edward A. Filene, is a nonprofit public policy research institution committed to the belief that a mix of effective government, open democracy, and free markets is the most effective solution to the major challenges facing the United States. Our staff, fellows, and contract authors produce publications and participate in events that explain and analyze public issues in plain language, provide facts and opinions about the strengths and weaknesses of different policy strategies, and develop and call to attention distinctive ideas that can work.
Cities for Progress www.citiesforprogress.orgCities for Progress is a project of the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, D.C. The organization is a growing network of locally-elected officials and community-based activists working together for social change. Cities for Progress is a network that incorporates local, national and global approaches to issues that affect us in our own communities. Following in the footsteps of Cities for Peace local resolutions prior to the Iraq war in which almost 200 cities and towns expressed their concerns about local costs of such a war, Cities for Progress is taking on other issues including Universal Healthcare and opposing Wal-Mart expansion.
Citizens for Election Integrity Minnesota www.ceimn.orgCitizens for Election Integrity Minnesota (CEIMN) was formed shortly after the 2004 election. The initial focus was supporting the Ohio recount to which CEIMN sent nine volunteer observers from Minnesota. CEIMN advocates for accurate and transparent elections and specifically to promote robust post-election audits across the country. In 2006 CEIMN played a role in amending Minnesota's audit law. In 2006, CEIMN, along with the League of Women Voters Minnesota, coordinated the first statewide citizen led observation of a post-election audit, recruiting and training 208 citizens who observed in 70 counties.
Citizens in Charge www.citizensincharge.orgCitizens in Charge believes citizen control of government is essential for peace, prosperity and freedom and that the citizen initiative process is imperative for citizens to truly control their government. Citizens in Charge works with activists, legislators, media, opinion leaders and voters to protect the initiative & referendum process where it exists in 24 states and to expand the process to the 26 states where voters currently lack the initiative.
Common Cause www.commoncause.orgCommon Cause is a non-partisan citizens' organization whose goal is to ensure open, honest, accountable and effective government at the federal, state, and local levels. Common Cause seeks, by sustained and focused lobbying campaigns, grassroots activities, and other efforts: to strengthen public participation and public faith in our institutions of self-government; to ensure that government and the political process serve the general interest, rather than special interest; to curb the excessive influence of money on government decisions and elections; to promote fair and honest elections and high ethical standards for government officials; and to protect the civil rights and civil liberties of all Americans.
DC Vote www.dcvote.orgDC Vote is a non-profit, non-partisan educational and advocacy organization whose mission is to secure full voting representation in Congress for more than half a million residents of the District of Columbia. DC Vote works closely with DC elected officials, community and opinion leaders, a coalition of national and local advocacy organizations, the media, and thousands of individual supporters to raise awareness about the denial of democracy to the people living in Washington, DC.
Democracy Matters www.democracymatters.orgDemocracy Matters is a non-profit, non-partisan national student organization working for the full public financing of election campaigns (Fair and Clean Elections) and other pro-democracy reforms. Democracy Matters offers a paid internship to students to organize Democracy Matters chapters on their campus and do grassroots organizing to increase political awareness and activism among college and high school students. Founded by NBA star, Adonal Foyle in 2001, Democracy Matters has established chapters on over 300 college campuses and high schools nationwide.
Democracy North Carolina www.democracync.orgDemocracy North Carolina's ultimate goal is a more vital democracy that fulfills the promise of "one person, one vote." Because voters should "own" the election process, Democracy North Carolina is committed to a range of campaign-finance reforms that improve disclosure of the flow of political money, protect the integrity of the election process, and provide voluntary public-financing programs that free candidates from the money-chase. In addition, we are committed to expanding voting rights and voter participation through structural and personal changes - e.g., by making voting more accessible (Election Day Registration, out-of-precinct voting, instant runoff voting, etc.) and by educating those not involved (youth, ex-felons, discouraged ex-voters, etc.) about the value of participation.
Democracy South www.democracysouth.orgDemocracy South is a non-partisan, non-profit regional network of state-based and regional organizations in the Southeast that is dedicated to helping build, strengthen, and link progressive, multi-issue, multi-racial coalitions that can address economic, social, and environmental justice issues at the state level, and to collaborate on regional strategies. It strives to accomplish this goal in large part by focusing on the core underlying issues of money-in-politics, and how wealthy special interests subvert the development of genuinely democratic institutions. Money and politics research and advocacy for real campaign reform represent fertile ground for coalition development and uniting diverse constituencies.
Demos: A Network for Ideas & Action www.demos.orgDemos: A Network for Ideas & Action is a non-partisan public policy research and advocacy organization committed to building an America that achieves its highest democratic ideals. We believe this requires a democracy that is robust and inclusive; an economy where prosperity and opportunity are broadly shared and disparity is reduced; and a strong and effective public sector with the capacity to plan for the future and provide for the common good. The Democracy Program at Demos undertakes timely research, supports advocacy campaigns, engages in litigation and supports educational campaigns to advance a diverse and inclusive democracy reform movement across the U.S. We focus primarily on state-level reforms, where opportunities for policy change are most pronounced. Demos is particularly concerned about reform efforts that will lower barriers for populations that have historically been disfranchised from the political process.
Fair Election Legal Network www.fairelectionsnetwork.orgThe Fair Elections Legal Network (FELN) is a national, nonpartisan network of experienced private and organizational election lawyers. FELN lawyers work proactively to remove legal impediments to voter participation and promote laws or administrative decisions that grant broader participation in voting. FELN’s activities include operating an online discussion where participants can address legal, process and litigation issues, serving as a clearinghouse for attorney referrals and contacts, creating and maintaining a database from which members of the Network can access contact information about lawyers, experts, and organizations as well as documents, including briefs and judicial and administrative decisions, convening discussions about legal theories, litigation strategy, and the relative merits of ongoing and cases and/or potential filings, and facilitating the exchange of information between lawyers representing different entities who are challenging obstacles to full voter participation.
FairVote www.fairvote.orgFairVote is one of the leading national organizations acting to transform our elections to achieve secure and universal access to participation, a full spectrum of meaningful choices and majority rule with fair representation and a voice for all. Achieving our goals rests upon bold, but achievable reforms: a constitutionally protected right to vote, universal voter registration, robust civic education, a national popular vote for president, instant runoff voting for executive elections and proportional voting for legislative elections. As a reform catalyst, we develop and promote practical strategies to improve elections for local, state and national leaders.
FairVote Minnesota www.fairvotemn.orgFairVote Minnesota works for better democracy through a unique focus on the voting system. We educate the public about the effect our voting system has on the quality of our democracy and about alternative voting systems that may improve public life. In particular, we examine qualities such as competitiveness, majority rule, representation, and participation. We advocate voting systems with a demonstrated record of success in producing these qualities. Such systems include instant runoff voting in single-winner elections and various forms of proportional representation in multi-winner elections for legislative bodies.
Free Press www.freepress.netFree Press is a national, nonpartisan organization working to reform the media. Through education, organizing and advocacy, we promote diverse and independent media ownership, strong public media, and universal access to communications. We believe that a more democratic US media system will lead to better public policies at home and abroad. As our world becomes more and more interconnected, it is imperative that any kind of development takes into account basic environment, economic, and human rights, while defining corporate and personal responsibilities. Free Press considers information to be among the most important resources to any society. We strive to open up the media system to allow more diversity of opinion to be expressed, to present a broader perspective, and to increase the caliber of information available to everyday people. This, in turn, will lead to a more participatory and accountable government and to more sustainable policies and practices regarding national and global development.
Fund for Constitutional Government www.epic.org/fcgThe Fund for Constitutional Government is a publicly supported, charitable, nonprofit corporation established in 1974 to expose and correct corruption in the federal government and other major national institutions through research and public education. The Fund and its Board of Directors believe that this country's leaders and decision makers should be held to principles and standards set forth in the Constitution. The Fund for Constitutional Government seeks to expose instances of corruption which have a large public impact, have a precedent-setting value, and which, if rectified, will aid in preserving an open and accountable government.
Global Exchange www.globalexchange.orgGlobal Exchange envisions a people centered globalization that values the rights of workers and the health of the planet; that prioritizes international collaboration as central to ensure peace; and that aims to create a local, green economy designed to embrace the diversity of our communities. Global Exchange takes a holistic approach to creating change. With 20 years working for international human rights, the organization realizes that in order to advance social, environmental and economic justice we must transform the global economy from profit centered to people centered, from currency to community.
Grassroots Leadership www.grassrootsleadership.orgGrassroots Leadership's goal is to put an end to abuses of justice and the public trust by working to abolish for-profit private prisons. Since 1980, its goal has been to help build the infrastructure for a progressive Southern movement, including the leaders, organizers, organizations, networks and coalitions that will make long-term positive change inevitable. Over the past 26 years, Grassroots Leadership has worked to accomplish this goal in three ways: by helping organizations become stronger so that they can meet the goals they set for themselves, by creating new organizations and by providing strategic space for Southern activists to work together on common issues and campaigns.
Illinois Campaign for Political Reform www.ilcampaign.orgThe Illinois Campaign for Political Reform (ICPR) is a non-profit, non-partisan public interest group that works to reduce the influence of money in politics and to promote integrity, accountability, transparency and public participation in government through a multilateral approach of media outreach, public education, original research, public education, coalition-building, litigation and advocacy. Founded in 1997 by the late U.S. Senator Paul Simon and former Illinois Lieutenant Governor Bob Kustra, ICPR endeavors to facilitate dialogue between members of the public, legislators, the nonprofit and policy communities, academics and the media on a wide range of government reform issues. ICPR was the first group in the nation to put state-level campaign finance reports into a searchable, on-line database. The group is frequently acknowledged by Illinois, national, and international media as key resource for Illinois politics and government.
The Immigrant Voting Project www.immigrantvoting.orgThe Immigrant Voting Project is a resource network dedicated to promoting discussion about the practice of allowing immigrants to vote in local elections – referred to as "resident voting" – as an innovative way to promote civic participation. It also promotes responsibility among incipient Americans and better educates and prepares them for eventual citizenship. The project gives voice to one of the last disenfranchised segments of the population and to increase government accountability in communities with large immigrant populations.
Independent Progressive Politics Network www.ippn.org The Independent Progressive Politics Network (IPPN) is composed of organizations and individuals committed to the achievement of a national, non-sectarian, independent progressive political party, or an alliance of such parties, as an alternative to the corporate-controlled, Democratic/Republican system. IPPN’s goal is the transformation of this country through the unity of its peoples in active opposition to racism, sexism, homophobia, economic class exploitation, age discrimination and all other forms of oppression and discrimination. Organizations that join the IPPN maintain their independence while coordinating with other IPPN groups to the extent they find appropriate.
Institute for Policy Studies www.ipsdc.orgFor more than four decades, IPS has transformed ideas into action for peace, justice, and the environment. The Institute has strengthened and linked social movements through articulation of root principles and fundamental rights, research and analysis on current events and issues, and connections to policymakers, academics, and activists at all levels. As a multi-issue think tank that has worked with the movements that shaped the late 20th Century, from Civil Rights onwards, we offer a cross-cutting analysis with a historical perspective.
Justice at Stake www.justiceatstake.orgJustice at Stake is a nonpartisan campaign working to keep our courts fair and impartial. Justice at Stake Campaign partners educate the public and work for reforms to keep politics and special interests out of the courtroom—so judges can do their job protecting our Constitution, our rights and the rule of law.
Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights Under Law www.lawyerscommittee.orgThe Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, was formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination. The principal mission of the Lawyers' Committee is to secure, through the rule of law, equal justice under law.
The Committee's major objective is to use the skills and resources of the bar to obtain equal opportunity for minorities by addressing factors that contribute to racial justice and economic opportunity. Given our nation's history of racial discrimination, de jure segregation, and the de facto inequities that persist, the Lawyers' Committee's primary focus is to represent the interest of African Americans in particular, other racial and ethnic minorities, and other victims of discrimination, where doing so can help to secure justice for all racial and ethnic minorities.
The Lawyers' Committee implements its mission and objectives by marshaling the pro bono resources of the bar for litigation, public policy advocacy, and other forms of service by lawyers to the cause of civil rights.
Liberty Tree: Foundation for Democratic Revolution www.libertytreefdr.orgThe Liberty Tree Foundation for the Democratic Revolution is a nonprofit organization rooted in the belief that the American Revolution is a living tradition whose greatest promise is democracy. The Foundation is a fellowship of organizers, lawyers, and scholars, providing support to pro-democracy campaigns in the form of policy research, publications, legal assistance, consultative services, and the convening of pro-democracy organizers.
MassVote www.massvote.orgFounded in 1999, MassVOTE (“The Massachusetts Voter Education Network”) is a non-partisan voting rights organization whose urban voter mobilization model works with non-profit organizations to increase voter education and turnout. In addition, MassVOTE’s electoral reform agenda seeks to eliminate voter participation barriers, especially among communities of color, language minorities, low-income individuals, youths, new Americans and the disabled.
Miami-Dade Election Reform Coalition www.reformcoalition.orgThe Miami-Dade Election Reform Coalition (MDERC) is a non-partisan grass-roots organization dedicated to election reform. Our mission is to protect the rights of every eligible voter to cast a ballot and to have that ballot accurately recorded and counted. We are neither liberal nor conservative, Republican or Democrat. We will not be co-opted by partisan agendas, political strategies or candidate or issue-driven interests. If you do not agree with this, we are not the group for you. In may of 2005 MDERC published a groundbreaking report on poll-closing observations, ballot accounting, and electronic security from the November 2004 election known as Get It Right the First Time. This report exposed serious weaknesses in the conduct of elections in Miami-Dade and led to a greater understanding and evaluation of a voting system that had become technical and complex.
Montgomery County Progressive Alliance www.mcprogressivealliance.blogspot.comThe Montgomery County Progressive Alliance works to advance equal and civil rights, clean and safe communities, high quality health care and education, secure retirement, freedom, fairness and opportunity for all. MCPA demands fair and unbiased media to counter the right-wing corporate media. MCPA researches and formulates policy, supports causes and organizes events, fundraisers, and campaigns to advance its ideals. In cooperation and coordination with other organizations and the grassroots, MCPA works with and pressures local and national politicians and media by organizing and leading protests, lobbying and public education efforts.
National Popular Vote www.nationalpopularvote.comNational Popular Vote Inc. is a non-profit organization with the specific purpose to study, analyze and educate the public regarding its proposal to implement a nationwide popular election of the President of the United States.
New America Foundation www.newamerica.netWorking at both the national level and in California, New America's Political Reform Program acts as a catalyst for meaningful reforms that update our 18th century political institutions and modernize them for the 21st century. Through an integrated program of research, constituency-building and public education, the Political Reform Program promotes the following solutions: instant runoff voting, proportional voting, campaign finance reform, redistricting reform, universal voter registration and other reforms.
Ohio Citizen Action www.ohiocitizen.orgOhio Citizen Action’s vision is a democratic society based on principles of social justice and cultural and racial diversity that involves ever-greater numbers of people in the public decisions that shape their lives. Ohio Citizen Action concentrates on running and winning good neighbor campaigns, but also finds practical ways for members to make the most of whatever time they can spare: signing petitions, writing letters, making phone calls, talking to neighbors, or speaking out at community meetings. In addition, its Money in Politics project analyzes the role of big money in Ohio elections.
¿Oíste? www.oiste.net¿Oíste?, the Massachusetts Latino Political Organization was founded in 1999 by several Latino activists from across the state who were concerned about the lack of Latino political representation and participation in Massachusetts. The purpose of ¿Oíste? is to build a solid, educated and participatory electoral base of Latinos, active in civic and electoral processes at the federal, state, and local levels. At the heart of this effort is a deeply held belief in the importance of direct involvement by Latinos in the development of the public programs and policies that shape the context for the future of the community in the Commonwealth.
Open Debates www.opendebates.orgOpen Debates works to ensure that the presidential debates serve the American people first. Open Debates is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to reforming the presidential debate process. Currently, the presidential debates are secretly controlled by the major parties, through the private bipartisan corporation called the Commission on Presidential Debates, resulting in the stultification of format, the exclusion of popular candidates, and the avoidance of pressing national issues. The major party candidates never pay a political price for their antidemocratic practices; posing as an independent sponsor, the Commission on Presidential Debates shields the major party candidates from public criticism and public accountability. Open Debates is launching simultaneous campaigns to inform the public, the news media and policy makers about the fundamental problems with the bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debates. It is also promoting an alternative presidential debate sponsor - the nonpartisan Citizens' Debate Commission - comprised of national civic leaders committed to maximizing voter education.
People for the American Way www.pfaw.orgPeople for the American Way is an energetic advocate for the values and institutions that sustain a diverse democratic society. Many of these are now threatened by the influence of the radical right and its allies who have risen to positions of political power. Our most fundamental rights and freedoms – and even our basic constitutional framework – are at risk. People For the American Way works in close collaboration with other leading national and state progressive organizations to mobilize Americans at this defining moment in our history.
Poverty & Race Research Action Council www.prrac.orgThe Poverty & Race Research Action Council (PRRAC) is a civil rights policy organization convened by major civil rights, civil liberties, and anti-poverty groups in 1989-90. PRRAC's primary mission is to help connect advocates with social scientists working on race and poverty issues, and to promote a research-based advocacy strategy on structural inequality issues. PRRAC sponsors social science research, provides technical assistance, and convenes advocates and researchers around particular race and poverty issues. PRRAC also supports public education efforts, including the bimonthly newsletter/journal Poverty & Race, and the award-winning civil rights history curriculum guide, Putting the Movement Back Into Civil Rights Teaching (co-published with Teaching for Change).
The Praxis Project www.thepraxisproject.orgThe Praxis Project is a national, nonprofit organization that builds partnerships with local groups to influence policymaking to address the underlying, systemic causes of community problems. Committed to closing the health gap facing communities of color, the project forges alliances for building healthy communities. Praxis trains partner organizations and provides research, technical assistance and financial support to tackle issues impacting the well-being of communities. In recent years, national and local policymaking has focused on the punishment and surveillance of individuals – disproportionately affecting the poor, the disenfranchised and people of color.
Prison Policy Initiative www.prisonpolicy.orgThe non-profit, non-partisan Prison Policy Initiative documents the disastrous impact of mass incarceration on individuals, communities, and the national welfare. We produce accessible and innovative research to empower the public to participate in creating better criminal justice policy. A particular focus is the problem of incarcerated people being counted for the purposes of reapportionment where they are imprisoned rather than their home.
Progressive States Network www.progressivestates.orgProgressive States Network aims to transform the political landscape by sparking progressive actions at the state level. Founded in 2005, the group provides coordinated research and strategic advocacy tools to state legislators and their staffs, empowering these decision-makers with everything they need to engineer forward-thinking change. Progressive States also works with non-profits and a variety of constituent groups to build a swath of support for coordinated progressive policy. The overarching goals: to get good policy passed into law and change the way issues are debated in the states.
Public Campaign www.publicampaign.orgPublic Campaign is a national educational and advocacy organization dedicated to advancing the values of fairness, equality, accountability and common sense in elections by promoting public financing of political campaigns. Public Campaign is laying the foundation for sweeping reform by working with partner organizations that are fighting for change at the state and local level and national organizations whose members are not fairly represented under the current electoral system. Together we are building a national network of efforts to win fundamental campaign reform and empower voters within the political process.
ReclaimDemocracy.org www.reclaimdemocracy.orgReclaimDemocracy.org is a national, non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to building democracy through education, activism, and collaboration. Relevant issues include corporate crime and personhood, election financing and integrity, establishing a constitutional right to vote, media reform, ethical consumption, globalization, corporatization, and citizen rights.
The Sentencing Project www.sentencingproject.orgThe Sentencing Project is a national organization working for a fair and effective criminal justice system by promoting reforms in sentencing law and practice, and alternatives to incarceration. Since its founding in 1986, The Sentencing Project has become a leader in the effort to bring national attention to disturbing trends and inequities in the criminal justice system with a successful formula that includes the publication of groundbreaking research, aggressive media campaigns and strategic advocacy for policy reform. As a result of The Sentencing Project's efforts many people know that this country is the world's leader in incarceration, that one in three young black men is under control of the criminal justice system, that five million Americans can't vote because of felony convictions, and that thousands of women and children have lost welfare, education and housing benefits as the result of convictions for minor drug offenses.
Southern Coalition for Social Justice www.southerncoalition.orgThe Southern Coalition for Social Justice is a new non-profit organization in Durham, North Carolina that will unite lawyers, community organizers, social science researchers and media experts to provide advice and representation to community groups engaged in social justice and human rights campaigns throughout the South. Our mission is to strengthen democracy by using our combined skills to serve our clients' visions for themselves and their communities, to incorporate an international human rights perspective, and ultimately to help advance community and regional empowerment for low-income and minority communities.
Southwest Voter Research and Education Project The Southwest Voter Registration Education Project was founded in 1974 by William C. Velásquez and a group of fellow Mexican-American political activists to ensure the voting rights of their people in the Southwest and thereby provide them "meaningful political participation," a prerogative that they had largely been denied before the mid-1960s. SVREP was charted as a politically nonpartisan organization pledged solely to be an advocate for the functionally disfranchised. With such a commitment, it allied itself with the civil-rights movement to overturn segregation in the state.
Stand Up! for Democracy in DC Coalition www.freedc.orgStand Up!/FreeDC is a grass-roots organization consisting of individual citizens, local organizations, groups and churches formed in 1997 when the U.S. Congress took over the powers of the local government in Washington, DC, the nations capital. Its mission is to obtain full democracy for all residents of the District of Columbia with equal rights under the Constitution and Human Rights consistent with international law, and to promote good governance for the welfare of the people. It protests that District of Columbia has been stripped of too many of its rights to govern itself and are currently residing under a condition of “taxation without representation.”
TrueVote Maryland www.truevotemd.orgTrueVote is a non-partisan group of citizens dedicated to preserving the integrity of our elections. TrueVote argues that, in their nature, computers are inherently subject to programming error, equipment malfunction, and malicious tampering. To ensure transparent, fair elections and to ensure voter confidence, our voting system must provide a voter-verified paper audit trail. TrueVote works to ensure the accurate recording of each vote, realize the possibility of manual recounts and create a viable audit trail to verify computer tallies.
U.S. PIRG www.uspirg.orgU.S. PIRG, the federation of state Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs), takes on powerful interests on behalf of the American public, working to win concrete results for our health and our well-being. With a strong network of researchers, advocates, organizers and students in state capitols and population centers across the country, PIRGs stand up to powerful special interests on issues to promote clean air and water, protect open space, stop identity theft, fight political corruption, provide safe and affordable prescription drugs, and strengthen voting rights.
Verified Voting Foundation www.verifiedvotingfoundation.orgThe Verified Voting Foundation is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization championing reliable and publicly verifiable elections. Founded by Stanford University Computer Science Professor David Dill, the organization supports a requirement for voter-verified paper ballots (VVPBs) on electronic voting machines allowing voters to verify individual permanent records of their ballots and election officials to conduct meaningful recounts. The Verified Voting Foundation is the recognized leader of the nationwide grassroots movement for VVPBs and verifiable elections. We seek to reclaim our elections for the public domain, controlled by the voters and not by private interests.
Voter Action www.voteraction.orgVoter Action is a national non-profit organization engaging in legal advocacy, research, and public education to ensure election integrity in the United States. We protect an open and transparent election process, one in which our elections at the federal, state, and local levels are accessible and verifiable. Electronic voting machines used in the most recent elections are deeply flawed. Voter Action supports the basic civil and political rights of all voters to cast their ballots in an independent manner and to have to their votes accurately recorded and counted.
The White House Project www.thewhitehouseproject.orgThe White House Project, a national, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization, aims to advance women’s leadership in all communities and sectors, up to the U.S. presidency. By filling the leadership pipeline with a richly diverse, critical mass of women, the project makes American institutions, businesses and government truly representative. Through multi-platform programs, the White House Project creates a culture where America’s most valuable untapped resource—women—can succeed in all realms.
William C. Velàsquez Institute www.wcvi.orgThe William C. Velàsquez Institute (WCVI) is a tax-exempt, non-profit, non-partisan organization chartered in 1985. The purpose of WCVI is to conduct research aimed at improving the level of political and economic participation in Latino and other underrepresented communities. WCVI holds a unique position among national Latino organizations. In its tradition of working with grassroots organizations, academic institutions and local elected officials, WCVI fills the gap between intellectual think tanks and community groups. WCVI conducts research in selected areas of concentration and follows up the implementation stages: WCVI translates ideas into research, research into education, education into policy advocacy and policy advocacy into action. WCVI was created: to provide information to Latino leaders and the public about the needs of their constituents, the impact of policy and the opinions and behaviors of the public.
The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign www.wisdc.orgThe Wisconsin Democracy Campaign (WDC) is a homegrown network of citizens fighting government corruption and working for voter-owned elections, media democracy, fair and impartial justice, election integrity, government transparency and truth in campaigning. The Democracy Campaign pursues these objectives through research, citizen education, community outreach, coalition building and direct advocacy. WDC was founded in 1995 as a non-profit, independent coalition of individuals and groups responding to the growing dominance of special interest money in the campaigns of state lawmakers.
