Campaign Finance Links

A number of research institutions and public interest groups around the country are putting money in politics under the microscope and coming up with interesting analyses and commentary. Below find a broad selection of groups that are looking at this issue.

 

Public Interest Groups

Research Organizations and Institutions

Student Groups

Political Parties

Government Resources

 

To find out what's happening in your state, check out our interactive map of state organizations working on Clean Elections reform.

 

Public Interest Groups

 

Campaign for America's Future

A center of progressive strategy, organizing and issue campaigns

 

Citizens Against Government Waste

Dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government

 

Common Cause

Works to boost the voice of Americans in the political process and hold elected leaders accountable to the public interest

 

Dedicated to building America’s highest democratic ideals through research and advocacy

 

Democracy South

Regional network of progressive state-based and regional organizations in the Southeast

 

Environmental Working Group

Provides Information on money in politics' adverse effects on environmental legislation

 

League of Women Voters

Works to impact public policy and improve systems of government through education and advocacy

 

Midwest States Center

Works to advance a democratic movement for economic, social, racial and environmental justic in several Midwestern states.

 

MovingIdeas.org

An electronic policy network providing resources from numerous progressive organizations on a variety of issues

 

MoveOn

Works to bring Americans back to the political process by making sure elected officials hear their voices

 

National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides

Dedicated to protecting public health and the environment by transitioning to a world free of toxic pesticides

 

The National Voting Rights Institute

Works toward meaningful political participation by all Americans regardless of economic or social status

 

Northeast Action

Regional support center for citizen action organizations in New England

 

Public Citizen

Represents consumer interests in Congress, the Executive Branch, and the Courts

 

Sunlight Foundation

Harnessing the power of the internet and information technology to help citizens learn more about Congress and their elected representatives

 

Washington Toxics Coalition

Protects public health and the environment by eliminating toxic pollution

 

 

Western States Center

Regional organization to support citizen action organizations in 8 western states

 

Research Organizations and Institutions

 

American University Campaign Finance Project
Provides database-formatted campaign finance files

 

The Ballot Initiative Strategy Center

Provides strategy and insight on ballot initiative campaigns

 

Benton Foundation

Provides a public interest vision for the digital age and works to demonstrate the value of communications for solving social problems


The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law

Supports campaign finance reform through scholarship, public education, and legal action

 

Brookings Institution
Campaign finance section of the Brookings Institution, an organization that conducts independent research and provides policy solutions

 

Campaign Finance Information Center

Resource for journalists covering political campaign contributions

 

Campaign Finance Institute

Conducts research focused on campaign finance policy

 

The Cato Institute

Conducts public policy research on a variety of issues

 

Center for Responsive Politics

Tracks money in politics and its effect on elections and public policy

 

Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies (American University)

Provides an integrated teaching, research, and study program focusing on Congress, the presidency and the interactions of these two basic American institutions

 

The Center for Governmental Studies

Creates innovative solutions to improve civic engagement in communities and governments

 

Center for Public Integrity

Conducts investigative journalism on issues of public concern

 

Congresspedia

A wiki-based website documenting the people, organizations and issues shaping the public agenda

 

Council on Government Ethics Law (COGEL)

Professional organization for individuals with responsibilities or interests in governmental ethics, elections, campaign finance, lobby laws and freedom of information

 

Columbia University Library / U. S. Government Documents, Campaigns and Elections

Directory for conducting research on federal campaigns and elections

 

The National Institute on Money in State Politics

Offers extensive databases of state campaign finance information

 

Open Debates

Works to ensure that presidential debates serve the American people first

 

The Pew Center for the States

Offers state news on various issues, including campaign finance reform

 

Professor Clyde Wilcox

Author of publications with special sections on money in politics

 

Project Vote Smart

A research organization of volunteers from across the political spectrum dedicated to providing nonpartisan, unbiased information on elected officials

 

State PIRGs

State-level organizations across the country advocating for the public interest

 

U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG)

Federally focused arm of the State PIRGS

 

University of Michigan Documents Center

Expansive directory of federal government resources on the web

 

Wisconsin Campaign Finance Project

Provides researchers with data on public election funding programs throughout the U.S.

 

Student Groups

 

 

Campus Greens

National organization of Greens in colleges and high schools across the country

 

College Democrats

National organization of Democrats in colleges across the country

 

College Republicans

National organization of Republicans in colleges across the country

 

Democracy Matters

Organization of student activists dedicated to taking private money out of politics and other pro-democracy reforms

 

Political Parties

 

Green Party of the United States

 

Democratic National Committee

 

Republican National Committee

 

 

Government Resources

 

Federal Election Commission

 

U.S. Congress (Thomas)