Democracy 21

Democracy 21
Name	Democracy 21
Formation	1997
Founder	Fred Wertheimer
Type	Nonprofit organization; Political advocacy group
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Leader title	President
Leader name	Fred Wertheimer
Focus	Campaign finance reform, Election law

Democracy 21 is a United States-based advocacy organization focused on campaign finance reform, election law, and political corruption issues. Founded by Fred Wertheimer in 1997, the organization has engaged in litigation, lobbying, public education, and coalition-building around major federal statutes and Supreme Court decisions. Democracy 21 has been active in debates involving landmark cases, federal agencies, and congressional reforms.

History

Democracy 21 traces its origins to the post‑Watergate reform era debates that involved actors such as Federal Election Commission, Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, and reform advocates like Common Cause, Public Citizen, and League of Women Voters. Its founding in 1997 occurred contemporaneously with litigation involving McCain–Feingold, Citizens United v. FEC, and enforcement matters tied to the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971. Over time Democracy 21 participated in coalition efforts with groups such as Campaign Legal Center, American Civil Liberties Union, Brennan Center for Justice, and Sunlight Foundation on issues intersecting with decisions by the United States Supreme Court, actions by the United States Congress, and rulemaking by the Federal Election Commission and the Department of Justice.

Mission and Objectives

The organization states objectives aligned with reforming laws influenced by cases like Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, Buckley v. Valeo, and McConnell v. Federal Election Commission. Democracy 21 aims to strengthen statutes such as the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 and the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 and to oppose rulings or legislation associated with figures like Karl Rove, Sheldon Adelson, Charles and David Koch, and entities like Super PACs and 527 organizations. The group emphasizes transparency measures connected to the Internal Revenue Service, disclosure regimes under the Securities and Exchange Commission, and enforcement by the Federal Election Commission.

Advocacy and Campaigns

Democracy 21 has run campaigns around high-profile episodes such as responses to Citizens United v. FEC, efforts to defend McCain–Feingold, and advocacy during congressional debates on ethics reform linked to scandals involving Enron, WorldCom, and executive branch controversies tied to administrations like George W. Bush and Donald Trump. The organization has supported legislative initiatives like the DISCLOSE Act, proposals backed by members such as Senator John McCain and Senator Russell Feingold, and constitutional amendment campaigns promoted by figures including Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Representative John Conyers. It has collaborated with civil society groups including MoveOn.org, Common Cause, Progressive Democrats of America, and Public Campaign in public education efforts and grassroots mobilization around voting and disclosure issues.

Legal and Policy Work

Democracy 21 engages in litigation strategy, amicus briefs, and regulatory petitions in cases before the United States Supreme Court, federal appellate courts, and administrative agencies like the Federal Election Commission. The group has filed or supported briefs in cases addressing precedents such as Buckley v. Valeo and Citizens United v. FEC, and has been involved in enforcement matters invoking the Federal Election Campaign Act and rules concerning independent expenditures and coordination standards tied to actors like Super PACs and political operatives associated with Cambridge Analytica-era controversies. It also advocates for statutory and regulatory changes in Congress and at agencies, often working alongside legal scholars from institutions such as Harvard Law School, Yale Law School, Stanford Law School, and think tanks including the Heritage Foundation and Center for American Progress.

Funding and Organization

Democracy 21 operates as a nonprofit advocacy organization with leadership and staff experienced in election law and public policy; its founder and long-time president is Fred Wertheimer, formerly associated with organizations like Common Cause and Center for Responsive Politics. Funding for its activities has come from individual donors, philanthropic foundations, and allied groups within the reform network; major funders in the field have included foundations like the MacArthur Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and Rockefeller Brothers Fund (though funding details vary by year). The organization coordinates with coalitions involving Campaign Legal Center, Brennan Center for Justice, Public Citizen, and other reform-oriented institutions, while operating within the regulatory frameworks overseen by the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Election Commission.

Impact and Criticism

Democracy 21 has influenced public debate, congressional proposals, and regulatory proceedings on disclosure, enforcement, and limits on independent expenditures, contributing to legislative efforts such as revival proposals for the DISCLOSE Act and advocacy for constitutional amendments responding to Citizens United v. FEC. Critics from conservative organizations like the Heritage Foundation, libertarian groups such as the Cato Institute, and corporate advocacy coalitions including Chamber of Commerce argue that its positions conflict with First Amendment to the United States Constitution interpretations and free speech precedents emphasized in cases like Buckley v. Valeo and Citizens United v. FEC. Supporters cite partnerships with entities such as Common Cause, Campaign Legal Center, and academics from Columbia Law School and NYU School of Law as evidence of substantial policy influence in debates over campaign finance and political transparency.

Category:Political advocacy groups in the United States