How Common Cause Fights for Your Rights (To Party)

Common Cause is a non-profit organization that organizes citizen-led movements, functions as a government watchdog, and works to educate people on political matters. Founded in 1970, Common Cause is proudly considered “a people’s lobby.” With a focus on accountability, Common Cause has worked tirelessly to organize social and political movements in the name of fairness and equality. Perhaps their most famous accomplishment was their work advocating for a reduction in the minimum voting age, a campaign which successfully navigated a turbulent Vietnam-era political atmosphere to become the 26th Amendment.

Now that I have given Common Cause their flowers for historic accomplishments, it is more important to ask, “What have you done for me lately?” Now dear readers, get ready for a laundry list of recent efforts, and victories. Fun, right?

• Fought to overturn the enactment of illegal gerrymandering practices in North Carolina (Moore v. Harper)
• Sued the Department of Justice to protect voter information
• Lobbied for Elon Musk’s removal from The Department of Governmental Efficiency, a move which has all but neutered their efficacy
• Organized pre-midterm voter drives, gathering hundreds of volunteers

Now that you are overwhelmed with a burning desire to safeguard our American democratic systems, let me tell you a few ways you can contribute! The first, and easiest way you can make an impact, is to sign a petition! In the time it took you to skim this article, you could’ve signed nearly 30 petitions*! For you go-getters out there, Common Cause encourages the usage of letter writing campaigns, and contains information on topics worth writing about, and agencies worth writing to. Finally, the most important way to make change is to understand our political system! Common Cause offers a tremendous amount of information regarding voting, bill proposals, and the people who represent you. Political literacy is severely lacking in our country, and Common Cause is working to reduce the dearth with endless resources, and fact-based literature.

If you are interested in becoming an active member of Common Cause, making a donation, or simply wish to learn more, please visit www.commoncause.org. I will end this article with their mission statement.

 “When We the People come together, we can make a real and lasting difference.”  

*Common Cause, nor the SMCC Beacon, nor Lucas Scully recommends signing petitions without first understanding the petition. Should I have avoided this entire situation by not including a throwaway joke? The answer is yes. Yes I should have.