Friend,

One big lesson from the election: America remains the land of the free and the home of the brave. Braving a dangerous pandemic, adapting to new voting schedules and long lines, participating in remote and socially distanced campaigns, and staring down fear, uncertainty and crisis, at least 160 million Americans cast our ballots in one of the closest elections in history. 

Hundreds of thousands of new poll workers volunteered and, while Americans across the nation in every state and community waited peacefully (if anxiously), our ballots were dutifully and carefully counted. We congratulate President-Elect Joe Biden (a longtime champion of our constitutional amendment) and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris (an American Promise pledge signer) on their election. And we congratulate all of the candidates of all parties who stepped up to run for office and offer their ideas and service. 

You might find this slide deck from Bruce Mehlman to be an insightful recap of the election and state of the electorate. As Bruce details, more money than ever poured into this election—$14 billion in the federal elections alone. And despite the surge of small contributions, most of the money still is driven by the huge spenders, some of whom surpassed $100 million in individual contributions (as always, Open Secrets has the data). 

Three key takeaways for all of us at American Promise: 

• First, Americans know election spending is out of control. As one Maine newspaper editorial described it after the Senate race there passed $200 million, when billions of dollars are spent to make people afraid, angry, divided and partisan, people will be afraid, angry, divided and partisan. 
• Second, we are right about our constitutional amendment for reasonable spending limits to empower voters, make representatives responsive to the people, and secure free speech for every American. With more than 400 candidates signing the American Promise pledge and cross-partisan support ranging from 70% to 80%, we are on track to win. 
• Finally, the election results once again demonstrate that neither major party alone is going to deliver real and lasting solutions. Our cross-partisan, citizen-driven approach is the key to success.  

Americans are not giving up. We will move through this extraordinary and challenging time to win reform and renew our country together. Thank you for your commitment and good work.

November 17: Business leaders and others who see how pay-to-play politics harms economic innovation and market health can join American Promise for a look at the new Business Network presentation. Learn more about how you can share the business economic argument for the 28th Amendment and forward the movement. Guest presenters include Scott Ellis, National Business Network member, and Elizabeth Doty of the American Promise Advisory Council. 8 p.m.-9 p.m. ET. Learn more and register online.

November 19: Get the latest on campaign finance, states rights, and the Constitution during this online panel discussion. Featured speakers are Jim Rubens, former New Hampshire state senator and GOP platform committee chair, current board member for American Promise and New England chair of Take Back Our Republic; Democratic Alaska state senator Scott Kawasaki, sponsor of Senate Joint Resolution 16; and Joe Geldhof, Alaska attorney and a founder of the Permanent Fund Defenders. 7 p.m. ET. Learn more and register online.

From the Center for Responsive Politics: Despite fundraising deficits, House GOP candidates held their own in the election. In nine of the most competitive races, Democrats outraised GOP candidates by over $3 million. Of these races, six have been called and Republicans won five. Read more.

From the Center for Responsive Politics: With pre-election polls showing close U.S. Senate races in several Republican-leaning states, Democrats spent big and fell short in most of them. Democratic Senate candidates raised $809 million this cycle — much of it from outside money from groups such as super PACs and “dark money” groups — compared to Republicans’ $494 million. Read more.

From the (Salem) Statesman-Journal: With a higher than 78% approval rate, Oregon voters approved a ballot measure to amend the state Constitution and allow campaign finance reform. State and local governments will have the ability to enact laws that limit campaign contributions and expenditures and require their disclosure. Oregon was one of five states without limits on how much money candidates can receive from donors. Read more.

From the Hill: The Federal Election Commission may regain its quorum if the Senate confirms two recent nominees made by President Donald Trump: Republican senior congressional aide Sean Cooksey and Democratic senior agency attorney Shana Broussard. For four months, the FEC has been unable to vote on enforcement actions. Read more.