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In the post-Citizens United world, every day Americans weren't supposed to be able to take on the big money poisoning our politics, and win. Yet, that's exactly what happened. (Photo: AP/File)
Off-year elections are almost never good for progressives, and 2015 is no exception. But this off-year election held some surprising victories for progressives in Maine, Ohio, Washington and elsewhere that could lay the foundation for more victories to come.
Earlier this week, I wrote about campaigns in Seattle and in Ohio that had the potential to change how we do politics in America.
Maine voters also took aim at Citizens United with Question 1, a ballot initiative that strengthened the state's already famous system of publicly funding elections, created by the Maine Clean Elections Act in 1996. Under Question 1, not only will candidates who agree to participate be eligible for public funding, but they will be forced to disclose top donors in their political advertisements.
Voters in Maine and Seattle approved ballot measures aimed at amplifying the voices of ordinary Americans, and reducing the influence of big money in politics. Maine voters approved Question 1 by a vote of 55 percent to 45 percent. In Seattle, preliminary results showed Initiative 22 passing with 60 percent in favor and 40 percent opposed.
Meanwhile, Ohioans overwhelmingly voted in favor of reforming Ohio's partisan process for drawing and redrawing legislative districts. Issue 1 passed with 71 percent of the vote according to final, unofficial counts. The success of Issue 1 has encouraged activists to look ahead to passing the same reforms for congressional districts next year. If successful, Ohio could point the way for more activists to do the same in their own states, with far-reaching implications for the makeup of Congress.
The wins in Seattle, Maine, and Ohio are game-changing victories for democracy. Each represents an impressive effort by state and local activists and coalitions, and will no doubt inspire more Americans to take action. Each shows what people-powered movements can do.
In the post-Citizens United world, every day Americans weren't supposed to be able to take on the big money poisoning our politics, and win. Yet, that's exactly what happened. Seattle, Maine, and Ohio proved that We The People can fight back against big money's influence in politics.
There are even more victories to celebrate:
Trump and Musk are on an unconstitutional rampage, aiming for virtually every corner of the federal government. These two right-wing billionaires are targeting nurses, scientists, teachers, daycare providers, judges, veterans, air traffic controllers, and nuclear safety inspectors. No one is safe. The food stamps program, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are next. It’s an unprecedented disaster and a five-alarm fire, but there will be a reckoning. The people did not vote for this. The American people do not want this dystopian hellscape that hides behind claims of “efficiency.” Still, in reality, it is all a giveaway to corporate interests and the libertarian dreams of far-right oligarchs like Musk. Common Dreams is playing a vital role by reporting day and night on this orgy of corruption and greed, as well as what everyday people can do to organize and fight back. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover issues the corporate media never will, but we can only continue with our readers’ support. |
Off-year elections are almost never good for progressives, and 2015 is no exception. But this off-year election held some surprising victories for progressives in Maine, Ohio, Washington and elsewhere that could lay the foundation for more victories to come.
Earlier this week, I wrote about campaigns in Seattle and in Ohio that had the potential to change how we do politics in America.
Maine voters also took aim at Citizens United with Question 1, a ballot initiative that strengthened the state's already famous system of publicly funding elections, created by the Maine Clean Elections Act in 1996. Under Question 1, not only will candidates who agree to participate be eligible for public funding, but they will be forced to disclose top donors in their political advertisements.
Voters in Maine and Seattle approved ballot measures aimed at amplifying the voices of ordinary Americans, and reducing the influence of big money in politics. Maine voters approved Question 1 by a vote of 55 percent to 45 percent. In Seattle, preliminary results showed Initiative 22 passing with 60 percent in favor and 40 percent opposed.
Meanwhile, Ohioans overwhelmingly voted in favor of reforming Ohio's partisan process for drawing and redrawing legislative districts. Issue 1 passed with 71 percent of the vote according to final, unofficial counts. The success of Issue 1 has encouraged activists to look ahead to passing the same reforms for congressional districts next year. If successful, Ohio could point the way for more activists to do the same in their own states, with far-reaching implications for the makeup of Congress.
The wins in Seattle, Maine, and Ohio are game-changing victories for democracy. Each represents an impressive effort by state and local activists and coalitions, and will no doubt inspire more Americans to take action. Each shows what people-powered movements can do.
In the post-Citizens United world, every day Americans weren't supposed to be able to take on the big money poisoning our politics, and win. Yet, that's exactly what happened. Seattle, Maine, and Ohio proved that We The People can fight back against big money's influence in politics.
There are even more victories to celebrate:
Off-year elections are almost never good for progressives, and 2015 is no exception. But this off-year election held some surprising victories for progressives in Maine, Ohio, Washington and elsewhere that could lay the foundation for more victories to come.
Earlier this week, I wrote about campaigns in Seattle and in Ohio that had the potential to change how we do politics in America.
Maine voters also took aim at Citizens United with Question 1, a ballot initiative that strengthened the state's already famous system of publicly funding elections, created by the Maine Clean Elections Act in 1996. Under Question 1, not only will candidates who agree to participate be eligible for public funding, but they will be forced to disclose top donors in their political advertisements.
Voters in Maine and Seattle approved ballot measures aimed at amplifying the voices of ordinary Americans, and reducing the influence of big money in politics. Maine voters approved Question 1 by a vote of 55 percent to 45 percent. In Seattle, preliminary results showed Initiative 22 passing with 60 percent in favor and 40 percent opposed.
Meanwhile, Ohioans overwhelmingly voted in favor of reforming Ohio's partisan process for drawing and redrawing legislative districts. Issue 1 passed with 71 percent of the vote according to final, unofficial counts. The success of Issue 1 has encouraged activists to look ahead to passing the same reforms for congressional districts next year. If successful, Ohio could point the way for more activists to do the same in their own states, with far-reaching implications for the makeup of Congress.
The wins in Seattle, Maine, and Ohio are game-changing victories for democracy. Each represents an impressive effort by state and local activists and coalitions, and will no doubt inspire more Americans to take action. Each shows what people-powered movements can do.
In the post-Citizens United world, every day Americans weren't supposed to be able to take on the big money poisoning our politics, and win. Yet, that's exactly what happened. Seattle, Maine, and Ohio proved that We The People can fight back against big money's influence in politics.
There are even more victories to celebrate: