Overturn Citizens United

A nation that allows its democracy to be auctioned to the highest bidder is not a democracy at all. The Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision flung open the floodgates of unchecked corporate influence, drowning the voice of the people in a deluge of money. It is not enough to decry this corruption—we must act.

A government of the people must be funded by the people. When corporate dollars dictate policy, human needs are sidelined in favor of profit. Climate change is ignored, healthcare is rationed, and workers are treated as disposable. We cannot allow the wealth of the few to silence the will of the many.

The solution is clear: Overturn Citizens United. Pass a constitutional amendment declaring that money is not speech and corporations are not people. Demand transparency, enact strict campaign finance laws, and build a system where representatives answer to voters, not billionaires.

This is a fight for human flourishing. A government unshackled from corporate interests can invest in education, healthcare, and clean air and water. It can protect labor rights, preserve democracy, and ensure that every citizen—not just the wealthy—has a voice in shaping the future.

Protest is a spark, but we must build the fire. Organize. Vote. Demand change. A democracy worthy of the name must serve the people, not the profiteers. The time to act is now.

Key Stats

1. Explosive Increase in Dark Money Spending: Since the 2010 Citizens United decision, independent political spending by corporations and dark money groups has surged by over 300%, with expenditures in key election cycles exceeding $1 billion—a dramatic spike compared to the modest figures observed in prior elections.

2. Corporate Influence Over Elections: Analysis from the Brennan Center for Justice shows that following Citizens United, corporate contributions now account for nearly 40% of overall political spending, enabling a small cadre of wealthy interests to exert outsized influence on policy and electoral outcomes.

3. Rise of Super PACs: The decision led to the explosive growth of Super PACs, which now channel tens of millions of dollars into elections. For instance, during the 2012 and 2016 cycles, Super PAC spending increased by more than 200%, effectively turning corporate wealth into a political weapon that shapes national debates.

4. Public Opposition to Corporate Political Spending: Consistent polling from organizations like Pew Research Center reveals that over 70% of Americans believe that corporations should not have the same political rights as individuals, underscoring widespread public demand for reform and a return to a system where money does not drown out the voice of the people.

5. Impact on Voter Confidence and Trust: Studies indicate that the surge in corporate and dark money spending has contributed to a decline in voter confidence in government, with public trust in the electoral process dropping by as much as 20 percentage points since Citizens United—highlighting a deep erosion in democratic legitimacy that many experts argue can only be remedied by overturning the decision.

Our Allies

1. Common Cause
   A leading nonprofit advocating for government accountability and electoral reform, Common Cause pushes for campaign finance laws that would limit corporate spending and reduce the influence of money in politics.

2. Public Citizen
   Through legal advocacy and policy research, Public Citizen challenges the effects of Citizens United by fighting for greater transparency and accountability in political spending.

3. RepresentUs
   This grassroots organization works to pass anti-corruption laws at all levels of government, targeting practices that allow unlimited corporate spending and seeking to break the grip of money on politics.

4. Campaign Legal Center (CLC)
   CLC provides legal expertise and advocacy on campaign finance and electoral integrity. Their work includes challenging practices enabled by Citizens United and other decisions that have expanded corporate influence.

5. Issue One
   Focused on reducing the influence of money in politics, Issue One brings together former public officials, academics, and activists to advocate for reforms—including limits on corporate contributions and greater campaign transparency.

10 Steps

1. Conduct a Comprehensive Campaign Finance Audit
   Leverage data from the Federal Election Commission (FEC), the Brennan Center for Justice, and academic studies to map the flow of political spending since Citizens United (2010). For example, research indicates that political spending from dark money groups has increased by over 300% in the past decade. This detailed audit will document corporate contributions and reveal how these funds influence legislative outcomes, creating a robust, data-driven baseline for reform.

2. Build a Multi-Stakeholder Coalition
   Assemble a coalition that includes grassroots advocacy groups, campaign finance reform organizations (e.g., RepresentUs, Common Cause), academic experts, and progressive political candidates. Convene an inaugural summit with representatives from at least 50 organizations across diverse regions. This coalition will pool expertise, share resources, and form a united front to demand accountability and drive systemic change.

3. Develop a Detailed Legislative and Constitutional Amendment Agenda
   Craft a comprehensive policy blueprint that calls for overturning Citizens United by proposing a constitutional amendment stating that money is not speech and that corporations are not people. Incorporate specific benchmarks—such as reducing corporate political contributions by 60% within five years and instituting strict campaign finance laws—to guide lawmakers. This agenda, supported by rigorous research and expert testimony, will provide a clear roadmap for restoring democratic integrity.

4. Launch a Data-Driven Public Awareness Campaign
   Utilize compelling statistics and personal stories to reshape public understanding of corporate influence. For instance, studies show that states with stricter campaign finance laws see higher voter trust and lower corruption perceptions. Deploy a multi-platform media strategy—including social media, interactive webinars, and documentary-style storytelling—with targets like reaching 2 million impressions and engaging key demographics to convert abstract issues into urgent calls for reform.

5. Implement Targeted Lobbying and Policy Advocacy
   Organize strategic meetings, policy briefings, and public hearings with key legislators—especially those on the House Oversight, Judiciary, and Senate Banking Committees. Present the legislative agenda alongside hard data, such as the correlation between corporate spending and policy decisions that favor profit over public welfare. Aim to secure commitments from at least 30 influential policymakers to actively sponsor reforms, using evidence that targeted lobbying can shift legislative priorities by up to 35%.

6. Mobilize Grassroots and Community Action
   Coordinate with local advocacy groups to organize rallies, petition drives, and digital campaigns that demand transparency and accountability in political spending. Distribute comprehensive advocacy toolkits—including sample letters, social media graphics, and guidelines for contacting representatives—to empower citizens. Set measurable goals, such as increasing grassroots events by 40% and collecting over 500,000 petition signatures nationwide within 18 months, ensuring that widespread public pressure supports legislative change.

7. Establish a Legal Defense and Rapid Response Team
   Form a dedicated legal unit drawing on expertise from organizations like the ACLU and public interest law firms to challenge unconstitutional campaign finance practices and defend new reforms in court. This team will be prepared to initiate legal challenges within 48 hours of emerging threats, with historical precedents showing that swift legal intervention can safeguard policy victories and deter future infringements on democratic rights.

8. Implement Robust Monitoring and Accountability Mechanisms
   Create an independent oversight board composed of former legislators, legal scholars, and watchdog groups. Develop a publicly accessible dashboard—updated quarterly—with key performance indicators such as reductions in dark money spending, enforcement actions taken, and progress on campaign finance reform benchmarks. This transparency, modeled on best practices from government accountability initiatives, will enable continuous evaluation and timely adjustments to policy implementation.

9. Engage in Strategic Electoral Politics
   Identify and support political candidates who have a proven commitment to campaign finance reform. Organize targeted voter registration drives in key swing districts and use data analytics from organizations like CIRCLE to focus outreach efforts. Aim to mobilize tens of thousands of new, reform-focused voters before the next election cycle, reshaping the political landscape in favor of stricter campaign finance rules and diminished corporate influence.

10. Institutionalize Reforms for Long-Term Impact
    Partner with universities, think tanks, and intergovernmental organizations to develop standardized training programs and policy manuals that embed campaign finance reform into federal and state governance. Establish permanent commissions—such as a National Commission on Democratic Integrity—to review and update these reforms every two years. Commission longitudinal studies to assess the long-term impacts of reduced corporate spending on policy outcomes, ensuring that reforms evolve with societal needs and firmly anchor democracy in the will of the people.