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Friend,
As we get back to work at the start of 2020, we see opportunities for change—and at American Promise, we’re gearing up to seize them. It’s an election year, when the media spotlight will shine brightly on candidates looking to earn our vote.
That means it’s an opportunity for citizen leaders to shine a spotlight on the issues of most importance to them and their communities. In recent years, the overarching issue of big money in politics has undercut progress on so many others—and a majority of Americans agree that it’s time to do something about it.
Join us as we shine a light on the problem of big money in politics—and the amendment that will create a path to permanent change.
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Kimberly Clinch
Citizen Empowerment Coordinator, American Promise
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With a Renewed Potential for Success, the Equal Rights Amendment Ready to Set Off a Period of Structural Reform
The American Promise amendment to end the domination of big money in politics is poised to join the Equal Rights Amendment and other popular proposed amendments to usher in a new era of equal rights and representation.
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‘The Democracy Rebellion’ Shares the Story of Citizen-Led Advocacy
A new film from Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Hedrick Smith, “The Democracy Rebellion,” shares the hopeful stories of citizen-led bipartisan campaigns to restore democracy. Watch it on PBS stations across the nation, starting this week.
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Where do your elected officials stand on big money in politics? The American Promise Candidate Pledge is a volunteer-led effort to get candidates and elected officials at all levels of government to pledge that they will use their office to advance the 28th Amendment. See if your elected officials have signed the pledge—and if not, ask them to do so!
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A History of People Power: Six Times (So Far!) Americans Have Overruled SCOTUS to Secure Our Rights
Throughout history, Americans have used the amendment process to rectify poor Supreme Court decisions, redefining the meaning of democracy and the destiny of our nation. It is time we assert equality and justice under the law once more and pass the 28th Amendment to end the undue influence of big money in our political system.
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| What We’re Tracking This Week
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From TCU360: As 2020 presidential candidates continue to set campaign spending records, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that launched a new era of political fundraising nears its 10th anniversary. Since the Citizens United ruling, the U.S. has seen a dramatic increase in political spending by outside groups. Read more.
From CNBC: In the face of growing political action committee influence, some candidates are calling for systemic change. For this article, CNBC interviewed donors, strategists and legal experts, and reviewed data to explain how we got here, and what might come next. Read more.
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From the Fulcrum: A group of campaign finance attorneys representing organizations across the political spectrum are calling for a new start at the Federal Election Commission. Read more.
From Alaska Public Media: Election reform advocates say they have gathered enough signatures to place a measure on this year’s ballot that would increase campaign finance disclosures, create an open primary and allow ranked-choice voting in the general election. Read more.
From the Kansas City Star: In a letter to the editor, Edward Acosta of Olathe, Kansas, outlines the negative political effects of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling 10 years ago. Read more.
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| Upcoming American Promise Events
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January 22, Brewer, ME: Join the fastest-growing reform movement in American and be a part of launching Stand With Maine. Maine’s American Promise Association hosts an evening to learn how money is corrupting our political system and what we can do about it. Learn more.
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American Promise empowers Americans to act together to win the 28th Amendment so people, not money, govern in America.
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