Common Cause (United States)

Common Cause (United States)
Name	Common Cause
Founded	1970
Founder	Norman Ornstein
Location	Washington, D.C.
Area served	United States

Common Cause (United States) Common Cause is a nonprofit advocacy organization founded in 1970 that focuses on campaign finance reform, voting rights, ethics, and media reform. The organization has worked with legislators, activists, and litigators across the United States to influence policy debates involving the Federal Election Commission, Supreme Court of the United States, and state legislatures. Common Cause has engaged in litigation, lobbying, and public education campaigns related to landmark events such as debates over the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and rulings like Citizens United v. FEC.

History

Common Cause was established amid the political climate shaped by figures like Richard Nixon, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Hubert Humphrey and in response to controversies associated with the Watergate scandal. Early organizational activity intersected with reform movements influenced by leaders such as John F. Kennedy policy alumni, activists aligned with Martin Luther King Jr., and proponents of the Great Society. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s Common Cause pursued campaigns connected to reforms pursued under administrations of Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, engaging with institutions including the House of Representatives and the United States Senate. In the 1990s and 2000s the group confronted issues stemming from decisions by the United States Court of Appeals panels and the U.S. Department of Justice, adapting its strategies during the presidencies of Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama.

Mission and Advocacy Priorities

Common Cause frames its mission around transparency, accountability, and democratic participation, advancing priorities that intersect with the work of entities such as the Federal Communications Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Bipartisan Policy Center. Key areas include campaign finance reform targeting the aftermath of Buckley v. Valeo and Citizens United v. FEC, voting rights protections in the context of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, and ethics reforms related to executive branch standards exemplified by debates over the Emoluments Clause. The organization often aligns with coalitions that include League of Women Voters, ACLU, Brennan Center for Justice, and state-level groups like Maine Citizens for Clean Elections.

Organizational Structure and Leadership

Common Cause operates as a nonprofit with a national office in Washington, D.C. and state chapters in jurisdictions such as California, New York, Texas, and Florida. Leadership has included executive directors, board chairs, and legal counsel who have engaged with counterparts in institutions like the American Bar Association, National Democratic Institute, and Transparency International. The organization’s governance includes a board of directors, advisory councils featuring scholars from Harvard University, Yale University, and Stanford University, and staff organized into departments for legal, communications, and grassroots organizing.

Campaigns and Key Initiatives

Common Cause has mounted campaigns on issues ranging from campaign finance limits prior to and after McConnell v. FEC to redistricting reform addressing cases like Rucho v. Common Cause and Gill v. Whitford. Initiatives have included voter registration drives tied to the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, litigation in state courts such as New York Court of Appeals and California Supreme Court, and media reform efforts targeting regulation at the Federal Communications Commission during chairmanships like those of Ajit Pai. Collaborative projects have involved partnerships with organizations including MoveOn.org, Planned Parenthood, Sierra Club, and civil rights groups led by figures such as Ruth Bader Ginsburg allies.

Funding and Financial Transparency

Common Cause’s funding model includes contributions from individual donors, foundations, and grants from philanthropic institutions such as the Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and Carnegie Corporation of New York. Financial disclosures and IRS Form 990 filings have been discussed in analyses by watchdogs like ProPublica and media outlets including The New York Times and The Washington Post. The organization has reported revenue used for litigation, advocacy, and state chapter support while interacting with accounting standards promoted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Criticism and Controversies

Common Cause has faced criticism and controversy from political actors across the spectrum, including commentators associated with The Heritage Foundation, American Enterprise Institute, and conservative media personalities on Fox News. Critics have challenged the organization’s stances on Citizens United v. FEC advocacy, alleged partisanship during electoral cycles involving figures like Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, and strategic choices in litigation such as joining amici briefs in cases before the Supreme Court of the United States. Investigative reporting by outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and disputes with other advocacy groups like Citizens United have contributed to public debate over Common Cause’s methods.

Impact and Influence on Public Policy

Common Cause has influenced legislation, litigation, and public opinion by participating in rulemaking at agencies like the Federal Election Commission and the Federal Communications Commission, filing lawsuits in federal courts including the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, and supporting ballot initiatives in states like Ohio and Arizona. The organization’s advocacy has intersected with landmark policy developments involving the Voting Rights Act of 1965 reauthorization debates, campaign finance disclosure rules, and redistricting reforms that reached state supreme courts and the United States Supreme Court. Common Cause’s work has been cited by policymakers in hearings of the United States Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and the House Committee on Administration.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Washington, D.C.