Issue One is pleased to announce that attorney Linda Willard and business executive Peter Staple have joined its board of directors. “Linda Willard and Peter Staple are passionate about political reform and will bring new experiences and ideas to our board of directors as we seek to unite Democrats, Republicans, and independents to fix our broken political system at this
Read MoreToday, in the first week that the Senate is back in session, the Senate Rules Committee will consider the nomination of Trey Trainor to the Federal Election Commission, likely clearing the way for a full Senate vote. In response to the news, Issue One Executive Director Meredith McGehee issued the following statement: “The FEC has gone far too long without
Read MoreOutside groups, especially super PACs and dark money organizations, frequently skirt anti-coordination rules designed to prevent wealthy donors and special interests from garnering undue influence in our elections– effectively violating contribution limits that protect against “corruption or the appearance of corruption.” Begun earlier this year, Coordination Watch identifies notable instances of coordination between outside groups and candidates. This project details
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While the spread of coronavirus has upended the lives of Americans across the country and changed the nature of campaigns, congressional candidates are still facing pressure to fill their campaign coffers. Last week, all candidates filed new campaign finance reports, detailing their fundraising and expenditures between January 1 and March 31, 2020. Here are some key numbers to know, based
Read MoreThis week, Issue One signed on to a crosspartisan letter to congressional leaders urging transparency and oversight of the forthcoming federal economic relief efforts amid the coronavirus crisis. “Large-scale legislation that carries an unprecedented price tag necessitates an unprecedented level of independent oversight, not less,” officials from 32 groups across the ideological spectrum wrote in an April 6 letter addressed
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Congressional candidates filed their latest campaign finance reports last week, detailing their fundraising and expenditures between October 1 and December 31, 2019. Here are some key numbers to know, based on an Issue One review of these new filings. $1.4 million The median amount of money raised during the fourth quarter by a sitting senator running for reelection in 2020
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According to a new Issue One analysis of campaign finance data, roughly $20 million has poured into the special election in North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District, which voters will decide on Tuesday. Outside groups — including super PACs and dark money groups — have been major players in the race, spending nearly as much money in the race as the
Read MoreA new report from the Office of Inspector General at the Federal Election Commission (FEC) provides new information about how the agency’s internal watchdog has been hamstrung for months — a concerning state of affairs that was also detailed in Issue One’s recent report “Busted and Broke: Why the Federal Election Commission doesn’t work.” In short: The FEC’s Office of
Read MoreAt today’s Federal Election Commission (FEC) meeting, Chair Ellen Weintraub announced that the commission has issued a final advisory opinion approving the proposal of Defending Digital Campaigns (DDC), a bipartisan group (led by former campaign managers of Republican and Democratic presidential campaigns) that plans to offer cybersecurity services to political candidates and party committees at free or reduced rates. Weintraub
Read MoreAt today’s public meeting of the Federal Election Commission (FEC), Commissioner Steven Walther, a self-identified independent who is typically part of the FEC’s Democratic bloc, introduced a measure that aims to speed up the agency’s enforcement process. Currently, enforcement matters can linger for up to four years before the agency is required to take any action. Once the matter is
Read MoreThe Phase III stimulus bill allocated $400 million to states to bolster their election infrastructures. Although this was an important down payment, states need more funding. We’re continuing to pressure Congress and advocate for more funding in the Phase IV stimulus package so that our elections are safe, secure, and fair this year.
