This week’s Common Cause newsletter is just a 6 minute read at 845 words.
Saturday, November 1, 2025
👋 Hi John! Happy Saturday. It’s almost Election Day!
In the Watchdog Newsletter, we share what you need to know to hold power accountable from the nonpartisan source you can trust. This watchdog doesn’t give in to pressure from presidents.
This week’s Common Cause newsletter is just a 6 minute read at 845 words.
🗳️Election Day 2025: What’s Your Plan to Vote?
Tuesday, November 4th is Election Day. Across the nation, Common Cause experts and volunteers are on call helping voters navigate election processes in their states, answering questions, dispelling misinformation, and empowering the people to make their voices heard. Notably, California will be voting on Prop 50 — a measure that will dictate the balance of power in Congress ahead of next year’s midterm election.
Common Cause led the charge this summer in holding leaders pushing mid-decade redistricting accountable to the people. We demanded that any proposed maps meet our fairness criteria, or they would meet opposition from the People’s Lobby. California leaders listened to the people, so we did not oppose Prop 50. Now, it is up for the voters to decide.
Our Election Protection program is part of a national, nonpartisan voter assistance effort, coordinated by a coalition of over 100 sponsoring organizations, that began in 2000 after the Bush v. Gore voting confusion. Remember the “hanging chads” debacle, and how it all came down to Florida, and then the Supreme Court?
📍Redistricting Wars Heat Up
Three states — Indiana, Illinois, and Virginia — are now considering redrawing maps ahead of the 2026 midterms. Common Cause never has and never will support redrawing lines to favor one political party over another. That’s why we introduced the six fairness criteria and were the first organization in the country to protect fair representation in a principled way.
Here’s the current state of play and how Common Cause is responding:
Indiana: After weeks of heavy pressure and multiple visits from the White House, Governor Braun caved to the Trump administration and announced he’ll hold a special session to force new voting maps.
Indiana voters are smart and don’t take kindly to demands from Washington, D.C. and many lawmakers are listening to the people, having resisted pressure from President Trump and company. We organized thousands of Indiana voters to sign a petition in opposition to redrawing maps and it has caught the eye of lawmakers and the media.
Illinois: Earlier this week, it looked like lawmakers were set to redraw Illinois maps in a veto session. When we caught word, we took action and led a major pressure campaign making it clear to legislators: dilution of Black or Latino voting power and lack of meaningful public input will not pass our fairness criteria.
Thanks to our leadership, the Illinois House Speaker announced that redistricting moves are postponed for now — citing that the people needed to be involved. We will continue to watchdog the process to ensure Illinois voters maintain their voice in Congress.
Virginia: Virginians once again have a front row seat to an attempted Trump administration power grab. Rumors of a mid-decade redraw are relentlessly swirling, and we’re not sitting on the sidelines waiting for what's next. We sent a clear message to Virginia lawmakers: align with our fairness criteria, or meet pushback from the people.
North Carolina: The North Carolina legislature just passed new unconstitutional Congressional maps — the fifth in six years — that fail to meet our fairness criteria and disempower Black voters in the state’s historic Black Belt.
We won’t accept broken communities or unfair representation. That’s why we’re standing up for our members in court, joining allies and voters in filing a lawsuit against the new mid-decade map. For more than 50 years, we’ve fought to ensure voters choose their politicians — not the other way around — and we’re not stopping now.
📱 Our Favorite Post
👀 ICYMI
We're working so hard to protect our democracy, we could write you a novel instead of a newsletter. Instead, here are the top headlines you don't want to miss:
New Mexico 👽: As the People’s Lobby, we’re leading the movement to establish fairer elections in Albuquerque with ranked choice voting. Learn about our campaign here.
California 🐻: With a short-notice special election just around the corner, we’re empowering Californians with the tools and information they need to make their voices heard. Read all about our work here.
Maryland 🦀: We helped pass campaign public financing in Anne Arundel county, which means better opportunities for more women, people of color, and everyday folks to run for office in Maryland. Read about the win here.
📊 By the Numbers
The White House belongs to the people — not President Trump or his megadonors. Yet, he’s tearing down the East Wing to build a $300 million ballroom funded by Google, Apple, and Amazon.
🗞️ Kicker Quote
👕 Wear Your Values
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