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The Democracy Initiative

The Democracy Initiative. A campaign to empower all Americans organized by leading organizations in the civil rights, environmental and labor movements. Voting rights. Voter Suppression Continues Since 2011, more than 200 bills were introduced in 41 states to restrict access to the ballot box.

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The Democracy Initiative

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  1. The Democracy Initiative A campaign to empower all Americans organized by leading organizations in the civil rights, environmental and labor movements.

  2. Voting rights • Voter Suppression Continues • Since 2011, more than 200 bills were introduced in 41 states to restrict access to the ballot box. • Rights Restoration, Still Denied • 1 out of every 40 adult citizens - more than 5.83 million Americans - has been stripped of his or her voting rights due to a prior felony conviction. • Approximately 2 million of these citizens are African American men. • New voices for voting rights • Increased Voices of Allies Fighting for Voting Rights • Money Out, Voters In Day of Action • New Coalition Leads to Change at the State Level • (Delaware, Restoration of Rights)

  3. Work to-date: voting rights • Building for change in key states • Virginia- Echo Chamber for Rights Restorations • Minnesota- Seeding a Coalition Advocating for Voting Rights • North Carolina- Building a Movement with a Moral Voice for Democracy and Rights for All • VIDEO NORTH CAROLINA FORWARD TOGETHER • Strategic Communications and Public Education in 2014 and Beyond

  4. Work to-date: Senate rules

  5. Work to-date: Senate rules • 2010 –Coalition Launched • Led by Alliance for Justice, Brennan Center, Common Cause, Communication Workers and Sierra Club • 2011 – “Gentleman’s Agreement” • 2012 – Campaign Renewed • New organizations brought in such as AFL-CIO, Demos, MoveOn, and NAACP • 500,000 activists signed petitions to-date • 60 organizations signed three letters calling for reform

  6. Next phase: Senate rules • 2013 Administration Nominees • Stalled appointees for Consumer Finance Protection Board, EPA, Judicial, National Labor Relations Board, etc. • More than 70 organizations signed letter to end filibuster abuse in nomination process • 2013 – Campaign Success!!! • Breaks Logjam on Administration Appointments • Continues to build support for judicial nominations and full rules reform.

  7. Work to-date: NY Fair Elections • Engaged our constituencies • Gov. Cuomo and leadership hosted calls for membership • Collected petition signatures via online and in-person organizing • Connected NY advocates with national experts • CEO engagement • Participation in Fair Election coalition meeting • Direct advocacy with Gov. Cuomo

  8. Work to-date: NY Fair Elections • Outcomes • Raised profile with issue-based organizations • Expanded coalition capacity • Increased media coverage

  9. Lessons learned so far • Need to walk before we run • Figuring out how to best leverage existing capacities • Determining future needs • Establishing coalition dynamics • Connecting the dots for our constituencies • Finding our shared voice

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