Saving Democracy, Documented

MAYDAY June Update

With all eyes on Washington these past few months, MAYDAY has also kept our eyes on the biggest threats to democracy around the country, fighting big money, gerrymandering, and corruption. And there’s good news: we’ve had a lot of victories - but there’s more work to do!

Here’s an update on what we’ve done since April with your continued support:

Defending small donor elections in Minnesota: When state legislators in Minnesota secretly tried to end a small donor election program and allow unlimited spending in state elections, we helped pressure Governor Mark Dayton into fighting for a budget that protects the program and keeps big money out. This month our chapter in Minnesota came together for a meeting - and so are folks in other states!

Marching to end Gerrymandering in Pennsylvania: In Pennsylvania gerrymandering is rampant and lobbyists can give huge gifts to politicians. MAYDAY endorsed and joined the March on Harrisburg for 26 miles of their 100-mile march to raise support (and a lot of media buzz) for three anti-corruption bills in the Pennsylvania legislature. Plus, we got a master class in what Pennsylvania’s ludicrously gerrymandered districts look like close up.

Photos: MAYDAY activists marching against corruption in Pennsylvania’s March on Harrisburg

Fighting Dark Money in Missouri: In a state described as “ground zero” for corruption, we’ve been very busy:

• We co-hosted an anti-corruption tour that brought together activists, legislators, and anti-corruption experts to build support for comprehensive ethics reform.
• We raised our voices to bring a historic dark money disclosure bill to the brink of getting a vote.
• Now, we’re gearing up with Clean Missouri to help pass a constitutional amendment to increase government transparency and accountability.

Calling out shameful campaign spending in Montana: As campaigns and special interests spent a record $17 million on the Congressional race in May, we went to the press to condemn it with a successful letter to the editor campaign. Letters from MAYDAY supporters were published in major newspapers all across the state, and our efforts made money in politics a key campaign issue.

Excerpts from MAYDAY members’ letters to the editor

Fighting for small donor elections in Maryland: In June, we partnered with allies in Howard County, Maryland to send calls and emails to County Councilors in support of a bill to set up a small-donor elections program. The council passed the bill 4-1, making Howard the second county in Maryland to do so!  

And that’s just the past few months! Next, we’re fighting voter suppression in New Hampshire, supporting small donor programs in Oregon, Washington, DC, Illinois, and Colorado - and much more!