{{Short description|American not-for-profit organization}} {{Multiple issues| {{POV|date=February 2022}} {{COI|date=March 2022}} {{Lead too short|date=February 2025|reason=lead does not explain the group's recommendations on how to fix "political corruption", their connections or history.}} }} {{use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox organization | image = | caption = | logo = Represent Us logo.svg | type = Advocacy | purpose = Ending political corruption | formation = {{Start date and age|2012}}<ref name="twsPasq2323"/> | tax_id = | status = 501(c)(3) charity: RepresentUs Education Fund<br>501(c)(4) social welfare organization: RepresentUs | founders = {{ubl|Josh Silver|Joshua Graham Lynn<ref name="twsBofF109184"/>}} | leader_title2 = Chief Executive Officer | leader_name2 = Joshua Graham Lynn<ref name="twsBofF109184"/><ref name="twsPol1142"/> | board_of_directors = | key_people = | parent_organization = United Republic<ref name="twsMJ2143"/> | affiliations = Princeton Gerrymandering Process<ref name="twsFP1122"/><br>VoteSafe<ref name="twsBroadway777"/><br>County Every Hero<ref name="twsBroadway777"/><br>Princeton Innovation Lab<ref name="twsTT747"/> | location = Florence, Massachusetts | website = {{url|represent.us}} }}
'''RepresentUs''' is a non-partisan not-for-profit organization focused on ending political corruption in the United States.<ref name="twsAJC434"/><ref name="twsAxios456"/><ref name="twsMuse7998"/> Funded by donations and grants, it is run mostly by volunteers aligned in a grassroots organizing network, and it has brought in high-profile celebrities to advance its message. It advertises, produces videos, and generates publicity with speeches and demonstrations and protests.
==Mission and objectives== The chief focus of the organization is to end political corruption. For that end, it pushes for reforms to protect voting rights, eliminate gerrymandering, overhaul lobbying, promote financial transparency particularly regarding political donations, promote ranked choice voting and open primaries and campaign finance reform.<ref name="twsFC49409"/><ref name="twsHarvard243"/><ref name="twsAJC434"/> It favors independent and bipartisan redistricting commissions for drawing congressional maps.<ref name="twsHarvard243"/><ref name="twsAJC434"/><ref name="twsRC4990"/> It advocates passage of the Freedom to Vote Act.<ref name="twsNewsOne443"/> Its aim is to pass "powerful state and local laws that fix our broken elections and stop political bribery," according to an account in ''The Verge''.<ref name="twsVerge8800"/> It supports the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the For the People Act.<ref name="twsFC49409"/><ref name="twsFortune0099"/><ref name="twsAJC434"/> It tries to put "power back in the hands of the voters."<ref name="twsVM1423"/> Along these lines, spokespersons including Jennifer Lawrence and Khloé Kardashian have called for greater access for at-home voting in presidential primaries.<ref name="twsWrap4199"/><ref name="twsBF8899"/>
An initial stated goal was to pass the American Anti-Corruption Act.<ref name="twsMJ2143"/> It was written with the insights of political strategists, democratic reformers, and constitutional attorneys from various parts of the political spectrum; one of the authors was RepresentUs's co-founder, Josh Silver (nonprofit director). It was unveiled in 2012. It is an example of model legislation in that it was drafted in such a way that it could be used by various jurisdictions with a minimal need for editing, while continuing to be consistent with the current constitutional structure. The act overhauls lobbying, encourages greater political transparency, and reforms campaign finance laws.
RepresentUs generally focuses not on the federal government but instead on local and state governments, since it figures it has the most leverage there; accordingly, it ignores United States territories such as Guam.<ref name="twsPasq2323"/> It chose not to go to Congress directly because, in its view, congresspersons have already been corrupted by special interests and are unlikely to support substantive reform.<ref name="twsCCN415243"/> It calls for a national voting standard by enacting laws at the local level.<ref name="twsCNN4829"/> It has achieved results in progressive states, conservative states, and so-called "toss-up" states, and it tailors its efforts according to the particulars of each locality.<ref name="twsCCN415243"/> It promotes ballot initiatives which allow citizens to vote on reform measures directly, and it ignores in-office politicians hobbled by political gridlock at the federal level.<ref name=tws"BM3231"/> The idea is to build momentum for national reform by starting at the local level with a grassroots approach.<ref name="twsBofF109184"/>
RepresentUs figures that if it can enlist the engagement of eleven million Americans, or about 3.5 percent of the population, it can effect substantive change to protect democracy, citing studies that show that that percentage is needed to effect change.<ref name="twsHR8899"/>
RepresentUs received the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency (formerly Guidestar) in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RepresentUs - GuideStar Profile |url=https://www.guidestar.org/profile/26-2369596 |access-date=2023-03-21 |website=www.guidestar.org}}</ref>
==Leadership and organization== Josh Silver and Joshua Graham Lynn co-founded the group in 2012.<ref name="twsMIC323"/> In January 2022, Lynn became the chief executive officer and Silver became the Executive Chairman.<ref name="twsPol1142"/><ref name="twsFC49409"/><ref name="twsNYSD41887"/> Lynn's professional background is in marketing and creative services.<ref name="twsFC49409"/> The organization that they founded is a project of the 501(c)4 organization United Republic which is a principal sponsor of the American Anti-Corruption Act.<ref name="twsMJ2143"/><ref name="twsIndependent141"/> RepresentUs is headquartered in Florence, Massachusetts.
The management of RepresentUs is divided into several branches: a board of directors, an advisory council, a cultural council, and a full-time staff. They include numerous high-profile leaders, including former FEC commissioner Trevor Potter, Harvard law professor Lawrence Lessig, disgraced lobbyist-turned-reformer Jack Abramoff, representatives from Occupy Wall Street and the DC Tea Party Patriots, and the great-grandson of the former president, Theodore Roosevelt IV.<ref name="twsMJ2143"/> Actor Jennifer Lawrence is on the board of directors.<ref name="twsWrap4199"/>
Numerous chapters nationwide are led by volunteers. They organize public education and activities to support local anti-corruption initiatives. There are more than forty local chapters including ones in Tallahassee, Illinois, the Roanoke Valley of Virginia, and New Orleans. Volunteer Mary Richards of Clarksville, Tennessee explained why she is leading a local chapter; as a nurse, she realized that the problems with the healthcare system were a "direct result of a broken political system" and she became frustrated with a system that is "rigged against us."<ref name="twsTenn9977"/> Volunteer John House, president of the New Mexico branch, feels that "our democracy is under siege", so he organized a demonstration in Santa Fe to call for filibuster reform and for approval of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.<ref name="twsSFNews4040"/> Volunteer Renaldo Pearson walked six hundred miles from Atlanta to Washington, D.C. as a media stunt to show his support for voter protections, safer elections and an end to political corruption.<ref name="twsMIC7454"/><ref name="twsCCN415243"/> During his journey, he received a positive tweet of support from actor Kerry Washington.<ref name="twsMIC7454"/> Volunteer Ash Orr of the West Virginia chapter organized small business owners into a coalition to support the For the People Act.<ref name="twsWV4990"/>
RepresentUs is organized into two affiliated nonprofit entities for tax purposes. Its 501(c)(3) education fund engages in public education, movement building and advocacy; for example, it publishes an online blog which chronicles campaign finance news, called ''The Bulletin''. Its 501(c)(4) fund engages in legislative lobbying at the municipal and state levels. It is funded by individual donations as well as grants from philanthropic foundations. Donors are listed on its website. It does not accept money from governments, intergovernmental organizations, political parties, or corporations to avoid their influence.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RepresentUs |url=https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/representus/ |access-date=2023-03-21 |website=InfluenceWatch |language=en-US}}</ref> In one virtual gala event entitled ''United To Save The Vote'', RepresentUs raised $2.1 million to help promote secure absentee ballots and safe in-person voting locations.<ref name="twsIVN48"/>
RepresentUs has been working with the organization Princeton Gerrymandering Process to identify and rate each state's congressional redistricting plans.<ref name="twsFP1122"/> It has worked with organizations such as VoteSafe and the County Every Hero coalitions, to counter misinformation about alleged voter fraud and to educate the public about the need for safe and secure elections.<ref name="twsBroadway777"/> They've reached out to other groups of voters, such as military people; their "Count Every Hero" effort is an effort to make sure that service members' votes are counted appropriately.<ref name="twsMilitary434"/>
==Communications== thumb|Represent Rockford, a volunteer-led RepresentUs chapter based in Rockford, Illinois RepresentUs engages in a variety of communications strategies to try to reach and persuade people. They partner with advertising agencies and public relations firms and marketing professionals to create innovative advertisements and promotions as well as manage creative media stunts. They are active on social media. Their leaders write op-ed opinion pieces in major media<ref name="twsMIC323"/> and make speeches in public venues;<ref name="twsNC41243"/> for example, actor Jennifer Lawrence and co-founder Lynn appeared together at a high school in Cleveland to speak with students about the pressing need to fight political corruption.<ref name="twsNews5Cleveland4990"/> The group criticized a redistricting proposal by Florida governor Ron DeSantis in early 2022 to further gerrymander Florida's congressional districts.<ref name="twsFP1122"/>
===Advertising and media campaigns=== RepresentUs created a fictional presidential candidate played by actor Frank Ridley to be the character 'Gil Fulbright'.<ref name="twsTimeMagFul33"/><ref name="twsEA114040"/> The intent was to focus public attention on corruption. They ran a fake senate campaign in 2014, and in 2016, the Fulbright character "ran" for president. The presidential launch video garnered over one million views in less than 24 hours.<ref name="twsTimeMagFul33"/> The fictional Fulbright character went on to beat several real candidates in a 2016 presidential straw poll, and out-fundraised legitimate Democratic presidential candidate Lincoln Chafee.
RepresentUs launched a campaign entitled ''Justice for Sale'' in 2020 that focused on highlighting problems with America's criminal justice system. Actor Omar Epps and voting rights activist Desmond Meade narrated the video.
The organization hired the advertising firm named ''Mischief @ No Fixed Address'' to cause a pizza parlor to restrict its deliveries to within gerrymandered delivery zones, so that persons who lived outside the zone were excluded from getting pizza. The purpose of the stunt was to illustrate the absurdity of gerrymandering with a consumer delivery issue, and it garnered national media attention.<ref name="twsDrum887"/><ref name="twsMuse7998"/>
Working with the Leo Burnett advertising agency, RepresentUs had them create a font based on the shapes of gerrymandered congressional districts, called Ugly Gerry; it features gerrymandered characters for the letters A through Z, no numbers, and below each character it says "No rights reserved".<ref name="twsWaPo009988"/>
Board member and actor Jennifer Lawrence starred in a short film produced by RepresentUs entitled ''Unbreaking America: Solving the Corruption Crisis'' which described how the United States is a "broken democracy" and what actions people can take to remedy the situation.<ref name="twsHR8899"/> In the Lawrence-narrated plan which proceeded for twelve minutes, she outlined a solution as adopting the American Anti-Corruption Act.<ref name="twsWaPo14569"/> She warned, "If you do nothing, nothing changes."<ref name="twsWaPo14569"/>
A video starring the comedian Amy Schumer urged support for the For The People Act so that "politicians can't steal our goddamn elections."<ref name="twsTheHill9494"/>
The group enlisted the support of various podcasters to promote pro-democracy issues on their podcasts; the podcasters included the publisher Pushkin Industries, Radiotopia, The Sporkful, Avery Trufelman, and Dan Le Batard.<ref name="twsVerge8800"/>
RepresentUs produced an advertisement entitled ''Transmissions from the Future'' featuring pop singer Katy Perry and actor Orlando Bloom which issued a dire warning to Americans about the possible upcoming death of democracy.<ref name="twsBB848"/><ref name="twsAdweek49987"/> The Perry-Bloom spot was displayed prominently in New York City, on the NASDAQ, at Reuters and at One Times Square.<ref name="twsMP488"/>
In another advertisement in 2021, RepresentUs spoofed erectile dysfunction ads with one about ''electile dysfunction''; in it, Mark Ruffalo appeared with comedian and actor Jake Johnson and actor Jonathan Scott to use humor to urge passage of the Freedom to Vote Act.<ref name="twsDeadline99454"/> The ad debuted on ''The Rachel Maddow Show'' and garnered 300,000 views on social media.<ref name="twsDeadline99454"/>
The actor Ed Helms urged action in another video on the student loan debt crisis.<ref name="twsAdweek88434"/>
In 2020 the group made a video using deepfake technology which showed current dictators warning about the death of democracy.<ref name="twsAdweek4588"/> The intent was to try to show Americans how serious the current issues are.<ref name="twsMashable99887"/><ref name="twsDrum1424"/>
Often advertisements are bolstered with simultaneous social media campaigns. For example, when they released their deepfake advertisement, they supplemented the advertisements with tandem social media posts by Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, Lawrence, Ed Helms, Alyssa Milano, and Kathy Griffin.<ref name="twsDrum1424"/>
In another advertisement, they enlisted prominent celebrities to appear "naked" to illustrate how a ballot is considered unusable, or "naked", if it is not filled out properly before being mailed.<ref name="twsDrum888"/> The spot included Tiffany Haddish, Chris Rock, Amy Schumer, Chelsea Handler, Naomi Campbell, Mark Ruffalo, Sarah Silverman and her father Donald, Josh Gad, Ryan Michelle Bathe, and a fully dressed Sacha Baron Cohen.<ref name="twsDrum888"/> RepresentUs gave it out unbranded to allow various media platforms to copy it without charge, to enable further dissemination of its message.<ref name="twsDrum888"/>
===Protests and demonstrations=== thumb|RepresentUs volunteers in Washington, D.C. RepresentUs has sponsored and promoted demonstrations to win media attention to their cause. A chapter instigated rallies to protest gerrymandered congressional districts in La Crosse, Wisconsin.<ref name="twsWIZM41"/> Another one participated in a candlelight vigil in Princeton, New Jersey in January 2022, to remember the one year anniversary following the 2021 United States Capitol attack.<ref name="twsNJ11423"/><ref name="twsTownTopics113"/>
Silver explained the logic of an unusual protest in Washington D.C.<ref name="twsBM00787"/> Approximately 700 people dressed up as $100 bills ran down K Street toward the Capitol, knowing that they would be blocked from entry by the Capitol police; at that point, the demonstrators would honor the police with a golden plaque for doing what Congress has been afraid of doing, namely, keeping money out of Congress.<ref name="twsBM00787"/> In its hundred dollar bills demonstration, leaders from the Tea Party as well as from the Bold Progressives participated by giving speeches, a further sign according to Silver that RepresentUs includes persons from across the ideological divide.<ref name="twsBM00787"/>
===Celebrity involvement=== The organization has attracted the volunteer help of celebrities from the entertainment and sporting world. The list of participants includes actors for example: Jennifer Lawrence, singer Katy Perry and comedian Kathy Griffin.<ref name="twsFC49409"/><ref name="twsDrum1424"/> It also includes basketball star Stephen Curry, actor Michael Douglas and voting rights activist Desmond Meade<ref name="twsDO11423"/><ref name="twsNYT77"/><ref name="twsMIC7454"/><ref name="twsHill11424"/> What inspired Lawrence to become more active in politics was the election of Donald Trump in 2016, prompting her to no longer be a "little Republican", as she described herself, and she joined RepresentUs soon thereafter.<ref name="twsSCS00474"/> Lawrence and Kardashian called for greater access for at-home voting in presidential primaries in one video.<ref name="twsWrap4199"/>
==Research== RepresentUs has a research department that studies corruption-related issues. One such issue is gerrymandering which was particularly important in 2020 and 2021 when congressional district maps were being redrawn based on the 2020 census. RepresentUs monitored redistricting efforts to assess fairness.<ref name="twsSpectrum11727"/> It publishes a ''Gerrymandering Threat Index'',<ref name="twsDO11423"/> and in conjunction with the Princeton Innovation Lab, it issues a ''Redistricting Report Card''.<ref name="twsTT747"/><ref name="twsWNYC11"/> It reported that Michigan did a better job of redistricting than Virginia.<ref name="twsVM4343"/> Texas and Ohio have extremely gerrymandered congressional districts.<ref name="twsVM4343"/> On its extreme threat list were the states of Nevada, Utah and Wyoming since politicians are heavily involved in the congressional cartography.<ref name="twsDes434"/> It graded the state of Texas with an 'F' for having a "significant Republican advantage,"<ref name="twsTT747"/> and described it as dangerous since it "gives politicians complete control over an often-secretive, poorly-protected redistricting process".<ref name="twsDO11423"/> Both parties engage in gerrymandering; if Texas is heavily gerrymandered toward Republicans, Illinois is heavily gerrymandered toward Democrats.<ref name="twsRC009"/> According to Silver, gerrymandering can tilt the balance of power in the House of Representatives; he faults gerrymandering for leading to extremism and partisan gridlock.<ref name="twsTN99"/>
In addition, RepresentUs conducts public opinion polls on selected issues. It sponsored a poll in North Carolina which found that 90% of voters oppose drawing voting districts to favor one party or candidate.<ref name="twsChar443343"/> Its research suggests that wide swaths of the public "across partisan lines" are dissatisfied with the current system of American governance and are ready for reform measures.<ref name="twsTechRev00844"/>
Further, it shares its findings with other organizations; for example, ''Axios'' used research from RepresentUs to help build an interactive information resource for voters.<ref name="twsAxios456"/><ref name="twsAxios9999"/>
==Annual conferences== RepresentUs holds an annual conference called ''Unrig Summit'' in a different city each year. Its first conference was held in February 2018 in New Orleans.<ref name="twsNola10191"/><ref name="twsTulane77"/> In March 2019, 2,000 persons attended the conference in Nashville including United Nations official Kate Gilmore, gun control advocate X González, voting rights activist Desmond Meade, and actress and comedian Sasheer Zamata.<ref name="Confehr2019"/><ref name="twsTenness465"/> Actress and RepresentUs board member Lawrence released a short film detailing the organization's political aims to a general audience.<ref name="Confehr2019" /><ref name="twsTenn20204"/> According to RepresentUs, the summit is the largest national event that attempts to address underlining causes of dysfunction in the United States government.<ref name="twsTenn43526"/> In 2020 and 2021, no in-person conferences were held because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
==History== thumb|Represent George Mason, a volunteer-led RepresentUs chapter at George Mason University
===Beginnings=== The organization was co-founded by Josh Silver and Joshua Graham Lynn in 2012.<ref name="twsPasq2323"/> What partially spurred them to act was the 2010 Supreme Court decision on ''Citizens United''.<ref name="twsFC49409"/> The pair studied statistics and research which led them to believe that a root cause of American political dysfunction was failed elections.<ref name="twsTheHill1234"/> They wanted to focus on "bridging the ideological divide".<ref name="twsFC49409"/> They learned that the preferences of average Americans were having zero impact on public policy.<ref name="twsCCN415243"/>
{{Blockquote|We basically need to build a nonpartisan countervailing force to those who are countermanding democracy, the followers of the Big Lie.|Lynn in 2022.<ref name="twsFC49409"/>}}
Silver saw a steady erosion of ethical standards in Congress during the past fifty years, with money flowing into and out of the US Capitol in the form of campaign contributions to elected officials or going to lawmakers who oversee regulated industries.<ref name="twsBI435"/>
{{Blockquote|You’ve got a political system that has become basically coin operated — where those with the money set the parameters of the debate in Washington; they are the most influential in who gets elected and who doesn’t and they are ensuring that the public interest is marginalized so that they can increase their profits, increase their own interests. And that’s happening on every issue virtually, from environment to healthcare to poverty, you name it.|Silver in 2013<ref name="twsBM00787"/>}}
One of the first acts of RepresentUs was to support the 2011 American Anti-Corruption Act. It had been written by former FEC Commissioner Trevor Potter in consultation with Lawrence Lessig and other constitutional lawyers and scholars.<ref name="campaignlegalcenter.org"/> As an example of model legislation, it was designed to be fully compatible with previous decisions by the Supreme Court such as its ''Citizens United v. FEC'' 2010 decision as well as subsequent rulings, so that local governments could use it as a model and adapt it to write their own anti-corruption legislation.<ref name="twsMJ2143"/> The purposes of the act were to stop political bribery by making it illegal for politicians to accept money from the special interests that they regulate, as well as ending secret money, so people could identify the sources of all political contributions and move elections toward small-dollar, voter-funded campaigns.<ref name="campaignlegalcenter.org"/> In 2014 in Tallahassee, Florida, voters approved a city charter amendment modeled after the act that established a city ethics commission, imposed stricter contribution limits on candidates for city office, and created a public financing system. What was instructive to the co-founders was that the initiative succeeded with support from a politically diverse coalition which included the Chair of the Florida Tea Party Network, the former President of the Florida League of Women Voters, the Chairman of Florida Common Cause, and a former Democratic County Commissioner.
===2016 election year=== [[File:Represent San Francisco.jpg|thumb|Represent San Francisco, a volunteer-led RepresentUs chapter based in San Francisco, California]] In 2016 the organization succeeded in bringing about thirteen successful state and local anti-corruption acts and resolutions. In South Dakota, it brought about the sweeping political reform package known as IM-22 which overhauled campaign finance rules and banned secret and unlimited gifts from lobbyists to politicians, as well as required greater transparency for campaign contributions and toughened the enforcement of state ethics laws. In Maine, it established ranked choice voting with its 2016 Maine Question 5 for all statewide elections. In Missouri, with its Amendment 2, it limited individual contributions to candidates running for state or judicial office to the amount of $2,600 per election, and to $25,000 to political parties per election; before that, there had been no limits on such contributions. In Rhode Island with its Question 2, it restored the constitutional authority of the state's ethics commission, giving it the power to police ethics violations by members of the General Assembly. In Washington, it passed a state call to overturn the ''Citizens United v. FEC|Citizens United'' decision with its Washington Initiative 735. It promoted a similar effort in California with a statewide call to overturn ''Citizens United'' with California Proposition 59.
In 2016 the organization achieved similar results at the municipal level. Resolutions are often initiated by members of the local chapters, which get technical assistance and organizational support from RepresentUs's national staff. Anti-Corruption resolutions are mandates demonstrating public support for such measures. In San Francisco, the city banned gifts from lobbyists to elected officials and from hiding contributions by bundling them together with its Proposition T. In the neighboring city of Berkeley, Measure X1 encouraged candidates to accept only donations from Berkeley residents, and to impose a maximum donation per person of only $50; candidates who agree to such terms are then rewarded with six dollars of public financing for every one dollar donation from residents. In Howard County, Maryland, an amendment to the county charter, dubbed 'Question A', established the Citizens Election Fund for races for the county's council and executive positions. In Benton County, Oregon, Measure 2-100 established ranked choice voting for local elections. In Multnomah County, Oregon, Measure 26-184 limited contributions from individuals and PACs to $500, limited independent spending, and requires donors to disclose the original sources of monies for campaign advertising. In Boone County, Illinois and in McHenry County, Illinois, ballot questions were added calling on local and federal officials to pass legislation based on the American Anti-Corruption Act. Anti-corruption legislation and resolutions have been passed in Tallahassee, Florida, Seattle, Washington,<ref name="twsSeattleTimes0043"/> Princeton, New Jersey,<ref name="twsPatch4533"/> Genoa, Illinois,<ref name="RockRiver434"/> Massachusetts State House Districts 2 and 19,{{Citation needed|reason=previous citation didn't name the district nor cite info about it|date=November 2020}} Ewing Township, New Jersey,<ref name="twsNJcom222"/> DeKalb County, Illinois,<ref name="daily-chronicle.com"/> Winnebago County, Illinois,<ref name="daily-chronicle.com"/> and Roanoke, Virginia.<ref name="twsRoanoke111"/>
===2018 election year=== RepresentUs expanded their activity in the succeeding years and led a number of successful efforts in the 2018 election year. In Colorado, they helped thwart gerrymandering by creating a twelve-member independent commission to draw fair congressional districts as well as state legislative districts, by passing Amendments Y&Z.<ref name="twsColorado5266"/> In Michigan, activist Katie Fahey spearheaded an effort to reduce gerrymandering by creating an impartial citizen commission to draw up congressional and state districts, with its Proposal 2.<ref name="twsMichigan4400"/> In Missouri, it pushed for the ''Clean Missouri'' Amendment 1 to work against gerrymandering by creating a nonpartisan office called "The State Demographer" to draw impartial district lines.<ref name="twsMissouri00343"/> In Ohio, it promoted Issue 1, an anti-gerrymandering initiative that forces bipartisan agreement on the drawing of congressional district lines.<ref name="twsOhioHill4343"/> In Utah, the ballot measure Proposition 4 created a seven-member redistricting commission which required, among other things, that they release draft plans to the public before finalizing any maps.<ref name="twsDeseret3266"/> In Massachusetts, statewide Question 2 created a commission to study the effects of ''Citizens United''.<ref name="twsWBUR86868"/> In Maine, a people's veto referendum entitled Question 1 protected ranked choice voting.<ref name="twsCD12421"/>
===2019–present=== Lynn sees serious threats to American democracy; if threats were assigned color codes, he would not use a yellow or orange but a red code to warn of imminent danger.<ref name="twsNC1523"/> While he describes himself as "fiercely nonpartisan", he claimed that Donald Trump pursued an "electoral coup" in early 2021.<ref name="twsNC1523"/>
As of January 2022, RepresentUs has helped to pass about 130 anti-corruption and pro-democracy laws, according to an internal assessment made by Ross Sherman, a strategist working for RepresentUs.<ref name="twsCST44887"/>
Silver unsuccessfully lobbied Democratic senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema to "protect voting rights" and to end the filibuster.<ref name="twsOhio4543"/> While the efforts of RepresentUs have borne fruit in many states during the past ten years, with resolutions and laws passed,<ref name="twsNewsweek400"/> Silver claimed there would be "a decline into authoritarianism" if the reforms pursued by his organization are not passed.<ref name="twsEsquire101"/> Silver would like all elected officials to state a formal pledge, on the record, that they support anti-corruption measures to earn them a "seal of approval" devised by his organization.<ref name="twsBM00787"/>
==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em|refs=
<ref name="twsBofF109184">{{Cite web |url=https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/podcasts/the-bof-podcast-joshua-graham-lynn-on-the-vast-ring-of-influence-in-american-politics |title=The BoF Podcast: Joshua Graham Lynn on the 'Vast Ring of Influence' in American Politics:The co-founder of RepresentUs, a non-profit campaign group, illustrated the corrupt nature of America's political system and the crucial role of grass-roots activity in effecting change at a federal level. |date=2019-02-19 |website=The Business of Fashion |access-date=2019-05-09}}</ref>
<ref name=tws"BM3231">{{Cite web|title = Sick of Money Corrupting Politics? Take the Fight Local.|url = https://billmoyers.com/2015/02/23/sick-money-corrupting-politics-take-fight-local/|website = BillMoyers.com| date=23 February 2015 |accessdate = 2015-11-09}}</ref>
<ref name="campaignlegalcenter.org">{{Cite web|title = Trevor Potter Helps Craft & Launch the American Anti-Corruption Act|url = http://www.campaignlegalcenter.org/news/blog/trevor-potter-helps-craft-launch-american-anti-corruption-act|website = Campaign Legal Center|accessdate = 2015-11-09}}</ref>
<ref name="twsSeattleTimes0043">{{Cite news|url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/democracy-vouchers/|title='Democracy vouchers' win in Seattle; first in country|date=2015-11-03|newspaper=The Seattle Times|access-date=2016-11-28}}</ref>
<ref name="twsPatch4533">{{Cite web|title = Princeton Council Passes an Anti-Corruption Resolution Patch|url = https://patch.com/new-jersey/princeton/princeton-council-passes-an-anticorruption-resolution|website = Princeton, NJ Patch| date=15 July 2014 |accessdate = 2015-11-09|language = en-US}}</ref>
<ref name="RockRiver434">{{Cite web|title = Genoa Township anti-corruption ballot question|url = http://rockrivertimes.com/2014/10/29/genoa-township-anti-corruption-ballot-question/|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150330131154/http://rockrivertimes.com/2014/10/29/genoa-township-anti-corruption-ballot-question/|url-status = dead|archive-date = March 30, 2015|publisher=The Rock River Times|accessdate = 2015-11-09}}</ref>
<ref name="twsNJcom222">{{Cite web|title = Ewing becomes second N.J. town to pass anti-corruption resolution|url = https://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2015/02/ewing_becomes_second_nj_town_to_pass_anti-corrupti.html|website = NJ.com| date=11 February 2015 |accessdate = 2015-11-09}}</ref>
<ref name="daily-chronicle.com">{{Cite web|title = County voters to see anti-corruption measure on ballot|url = https://www.daily-chronicle.com/2015/03/23/county-voters-to-see-anti-corruption-measure-on-ballot/a35vqcz/|website = Daily Chronicle| date=March 25, 2015 |accessdate = 2015-11-09}}</ref>
<ref name="twsRoanoke111">{{Cite web|title = Roanoke City Council Passes Anti-Corruption Resolution|url = https://theroanokestar.com/2015/11/17/roanoke-city-council-passes-anti-corruption-resolution/|website = Roanoke Star| date=17 November 2015 |accessdate = 2016-02-18}}</ref>
<ref name="twsMichigan4400">{{cite news | last = Egan | first = Paul | date = 2018-11-06 | title = Michigan voters approve anti-gerrymandering Proposal 2 | url = https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/11/06/proposal-2-michigan-gerrymandering/1847078002/ | work = Detroit Free Press | location = Detroit, Michigan | access-date = 2019-06-12 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsColorado5266">{{cite news | author = Colorado Public Radio Staff | title = Colorado Amendments Y & Z, Independent Panels For Redistricting, Have Passed | url = https://www.cpr.org/news/story/colorado-amendment-y-z-redistricting-results | work = Colorado Public Radio | location = Colorado | date = 2018-11-06 | access-date = 2019-06-12 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsWaPo009988">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/08/02/how-do-you-spell-gerrymandering-is-bad-with-font-made-out-preposterous-districts/|title=How do you spell 'gerrymandering is bad?' With a font made out of preposterous districts|last=Epstein|first=Kayla|date=2019-08-03 |newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=}}</ref>
<ref name="twsMissouri00343">{{cite news | last1 =Reynolds | first1 =David | last2 = Oide | first2 = Thomas | last3 = Weinberg | first3 = Tessa | date = 2018-11-06 | title = AMENDMENT 1: Voters strongly support Clean Missouri redistricting plan, ethics reform | url = https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/elections/amendment-voters-strongly-support-clean-missouri-redistricting-plan-ethics-reform/article_6d2a9728-e155-11e8-b58e-43f1d7945f4e.html | work = The Columbia Missourian | location = Columbia, Missouri | access-date = 2019-06-12 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsOhioHill4343">{{cite news | last = Wilson | first = Reid | date = 2018-05-05 | title = Ohio voters pass redistricting reform initiative | url = https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/386839-ohio-voters-pass-redistricting-reform-initiative | work = The Hill | location = Washington, D.C. | access-date = 2019-06-12 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsDeseret3266">{{cite news | last = Roche | first = Lisa Riley | date = 2018-11-20 | title = Utah proposition to battle gerrymandering passes as final votes tallied | url = https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900043020/utah-proposition-to-battle-gerrymandering-set-to-narrowly-pass.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181121000105/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900043020/utah-proposition-to-battle-gerrymandering-set-to-narrowly-pass.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = November 21, 2018 | work = Deseret News | location = Salt Lake City, Utah | access-date = 2019-06-12 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsWBUR86868">{{cite news |last=Creamer |first=Lisa |date=2018-11-06 |title=Mass. Voters Pass Question 2, Express Support Of Long Shot Mission To Repeal Citizens United |url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2018/11/06/question-2-passes-citizens-united-constitutional-amendment |work=WBUR News |location=Boston, Massachusetts |access-date=2019-06-13 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsCD12421">{{cite news |last=Conley |first=Julia |date=2018-06-13 |title=In 'Historic Victory', Maine Voters Demand Ranked-Choice Voting in Statewide Elections...Again |url=https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/06/13/historic-victory-maine-voters-demand-ranked-choice-voting-statewide-electionsagain |work=Common Dreams |location=Portland, Maine |access-date=2019-06-14 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsTimeMagFul33">{{Cite magazine|title = Spoof Presidential Candidate 'Honest Gil' Racks up 1 Million Views in 24 Hours|url = https://time.com/4045022/honest-gil-fulbright-spoof-candidate-2016/|magazine = Time|access-date = 2015-11-09|first = Denver|last = Nicks| date=September 22, 2015 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsNola10191">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nola.com/movies/2018/02/jennifer_lawrence_tulane_unive.html |title=Jennifer Lawrence gets political at Tulane University in New Orleans |last=MacCash |first=Doug |date=2018-02-02 |website=NOLA.com |access-date=2019-05-09}}</ref>
<ref name="twsTulane77">{{Cite web |url=https://tulanehullabaloo.com/36582/arcade/unrig-the-system-summit-unites-political-adversaries-against-anti-corruption/ |title=Unrig the System Summit unites political adversaries against corruption: The Tulane Hullabaloo |last=Lambert |first=Nurah |date=2018-02-08 |website=The Tulane Hullabaloo |access-date=2019-05-10}}</ref>
<ref name="Confehr2019">{{Cite news |url=https://tntribune.com/featured/anti-corruption-summit-for-country-above-party/ |title=Anti-Corruption Summit for Country Above Party |last=Confehr |first=Clint |date=2019-03-21 |work=The Tennessee Tribune |access-date=2019-05-10 |language=en-US}}</ref>
<ref name="twsTenness465">{{Cite web |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2019/03/30/unrigged-live-nashville-jennifer-lawrence-emma-gonzalez-unrig-represent-us-music-city-center/3316202002/ |title=Unrigged Live! highlights summit's activism, features Jennifer Lawrence, Emma Gonzalez, Ed Helms at Music City Center |last=Timms |first=Mariah |date=2019-03-30 |website=The Tennessean |language=en |access-date=2019-05-10}}</ref>
<ref name="twsTenn20204">{{Cite web |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/opinion/2019/03/27/unrig-summit-democracy-movement-takes-flight-nashville/3291954002/ |title=Unrig Summit: democracy movement takes flight in Nashville Opinion |last=Silver |first=Josh |date=2019-03-27 |website=The Tennessean |language=en |access-date=2019-05-10}}</ref>
<ref name="twsTenn43526">{{Cite web |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2019/03/12/jennifer-lawrence-howard-schultz-nashville-sxsw-politics-unrig-conference/3138445002/ |title=Jennifer Lawrence, Howard Schultz coming to Music City for 'SXSW of politics' |last=Alund |first=Natalie Neysa |date=2019-03-12 |website=The Tennessean |language=en |access-date=2019-05-10}}</ref>
<ref name="twsPol1142">{{cite web | author= Caitlin Oprysko with Daniel Lippman | date= January 5, 2022 | publisher= Politico | url= https://www.politico.com/newsletters/politico-influence/2022/01/05/restaurants-gyms-vow-to-keep-fighting-for-aid-after-dose-of-cold-water-from-white-house-799691 | title= Restaurants, gyms vow to keep fighting for aid after dose of cold water from White House | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsFC49409">{{cite web | author= David Meyers | date= January 4, 2022 | publisher= The Fulcrum | url= https://thefulcrum.us/big-picture/Leadership/represent-us | title= RepresentUs marks 10th anniversary with a new CEO | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsFortune0099">{{cite web | author= Ed Helms and Joshua Graham Lynn | date= February 4, 2021 | publisher= Fortune magazine | url= https://fortune.com/2021/02/04/student-debt-crisis-corruption-ed-helms/ | title= Ed Helms: To solve our student debt crisis, we need to fix political corruption first | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsDrum887">{{cite web | author= John Glenday | date= October 27, 2021 | publisher= The Drum | url= https://www.thedrum.com/news/2021/10/27/politicized-pizza-parlor-pushes-electoral-boundaries-with-gerrymandered-delivery | title= Politicized pizza parlor pushes electoral boundaries with gerrymandered delivery zones | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsBB848">{{cite web | author= Gil Kaufman | date= June 17, 2021 | publisher= Billboard | url= https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/katy-perry-orlando-bloom-transmissions-from-the-future-voting-video-9588642/ | title= Katy Perry & Orlando Bloom Team Up For Dystopian 'Transmissions From the Future' Voting Short: Katy Perry and fiancé Orlando Bloom have teamed up for their first couple's acting gig in the new "Transmissions From the Future" short, in which they advocate for the passage of a new voting rights… | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsNYSD41887">{{cite web | author= Staff writers | date= December 14, 2021 | publisher= New York Social Diary | url= https://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/gold-medal-galas-fairplay-and-french-heritage/ | title= Gold Medal Galas, Fairplay, and French Heritage | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsAdweek88434">{{cite web | author= Doug Zanger | date= February 19, 2021 | publisher= Adweek | url= https://www.adweek.com/agencies/ed-helms-representus-student-debt-crisis/ | title= Ed Helms Is the Perfect Messenger to Spark Action on Student Debt Crisis: The star fronted the newest video for grassroots anti-corruption organization RepresentUs | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsTheHill1234">{{cite web | author= Judy Kurtz | date= December 9, 2019 | work= The Hill | url= https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/473754-michael-douglas-anti-corruption-group-us-political-system-has | title= Michael Douglas, anti-corruption group: US political system has been 'hijacked' | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsVM1423">{{cite web | author= Staff writers | date= February 23, 2021 | publisher= Vermontbiz | url= https://vermontbiz.com/news/2021/february/23/poll-two-thirds-vermont-voters-support-making-mailed-ballots-permanent | title= Poll: Two-thirds of Vermont voters support making mailed ballots permanent | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsNC1523">{{cite web | author= April Corbin Girnus | date= October 9, 2020 | publisher= Nevada Current | url= https://www.nevadacurrent.com/2020/10/09/trumps-rhetoric-on-election-integrity-unfolds-in-courtrooms-tweets/ | title= Trump's rhetoric on election integrity unfolds in courtrooms, tweets: And it's sowing the ground for a contested election | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsBroadway777">{{cite web | author= Stage Tube | date= November 3, 2020 | publisher= Broadway World | url= https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/VIDEO-Leslie-Odom-Jr-Sings-Wait-For-It-in-Powerful-Election-PSA-20201103 | title= VIDEO: Leslie Odom Jr. Sings 'Wait For It' in Powerful Election PSA | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsAdweek4588">{{cite web | author= Patrick Kulp | date= September 29, 2020 | publisher= Adweek | url= https://www.adweek.com/programmatic/dictators-deepfakes-death-of-democracy-representus/ | title= A Voting Rights Group Made Deepfakes of Dictators Warning About the Death of Democracy: The campaign focuses on voter suppression and misinformation that threatens open elections | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsMashable99887">{{cite web | author= Matt Binder | date= October 8, 2020 | publisher= Mashable | url= https://mashable.com/article/kim-jong-un-and-putin-deepfakes | title= The Kim Jong-un and Putin deepfakes TV networks refused to air: Activists try to scare Americans into saving democracy. | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsWrap4199">{{cite web | author= Lindsey Ellefson | date= April 1, 2020 | publisher= The Wrap | url= https://www.thewrap.com/jennifer-lawrence-sia-khloe-kardashian-and-more-call-for-at-home-voting-for-presidential-primaries/ | title= Jennifer Lawrence, Sia, Khloé Kardashian and More Call for At-Home Voting for Presidential Primaries: These celebrities are adding their names to the growing list of those calling for registered Americans to be able to vote without breaking social distancing guidelines | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsNews5Cleveland4990">{{cite web | author= News 5 Staff | date= January 25, 2018 | publisher= News 5 Cleveland | url= https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/oh-cuyahoga/actress-jennifer-lawrence-makes-surprise-visit-to-cleveland-heights-high-school | title= Actress Jennifer Lawrence makes surprise visit to Cleveland Heights High School | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsFP1122">{{cite web | author= Jacob Ogles | date= January 21, 2022 | publisher= Florida Politics | url= https://floridapolitics.com/archives/488699-gov-desantis-hints-at-potential-veto-of-senates-congressional-map/ | title= Gov. DeSantis hints at potential veto of Senate's congressional map | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsCST44887">{{cite web | author= CST Editorial Board | date= January 22, 2022 | publisher= Chicago Sun-Times | url= https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/1/20/22893903/election-voting-rights-voter-suppression-senate-states-republicans-editorial | title= Democracy needs votes of support from every American: Even after voting rights legislation failed in the Senate, the fight for democracy and the right of every American to cast a ballot must go on. | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsWIZM41">{{cite web | author= Rick Solem | date= January 21, 2022 | publisher= WIZM News | url= https://www.wizmnews.com/2022/01/21/friday-la-crosse-rally-public-rallies-still-important-as-wisconsin-supreme-court-decides-voting-maps-for-next-decade/ | title= FRIDAY LA CROSSE RALLY: Public rallies still important, as Wisconsin Supreme Court decides voting maps for next decade | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsCNN4829">{{cite web | author= Zachary B. Wolf | date= January 8, 2022 | publisher= CNN News | url= https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/08/politics/how-to-save-us-democracy-what-matters/index.html | title= What the average citizen can do about the demise of US democracy | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsSpectrum11727">{{cite web | author= CAPITAL TONIGHT STAFF | date= October 22, 2021 | publisher= Spectrum News 1 | url= https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/politics/2021/10/22/representus-looks-to-keep-redistricting-process-honest | title= RepresentUs looks to keep redistricting process honest | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsNJ11423">{{cite web | author= Community Bulletin | date= December 31, 2021 | publisher= NJ.com | url= https://www.nj.com/mercer/2021/12/princeton-rally-and-candlelight-vigil-marks-year-anniversary-of-jan-6-capitol-attack.html | title= Princeton rally and candlelight vigil marks year anniversary of Jan. 6 Capitol attack | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsRC4990">{{cite web | author= Michael Macagnone | date= December 22, 2021 | publisher= Roll Call magazine | url= https://www.rollcall.com/2021/12/22/arizona-map-boosts-gop-in-two-districts-democrats-hold-now/ | title= Arizona map boosts GOP in two districts Democrats hold now: O'Halleran, Kirkpatrick districts pick up more Republican voters | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsMP488">{{cite web | author= Tanya Gadzik | date= June 17, 2021 | publisher= Media Post | url= https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/364277/representus-enlists-katy-perry-orlando-bloom-for.html | title= RepresentUs Enlists Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom for PSA 06 | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsAdweek49987">{{cite web | author= Kyle O'Brien | date= June 17, 2021 | publisher= Adweek | url= https://www.adweek.com/agencyspy/katy-perry-and-orlando-bloom-transmit-from-the-future-to-save-voting-rights/172778/ | title= Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom Transmit From the Future to Save Voting Rights | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsDeadline99454">{{cite web | author= Ted Johnson | date= November 10, 2021 | publisher= Deadline magazine | url= https://deadline.com/2021/11/mark-ruffalo-electile-dysfunction-video-freedom-to-vote-act-1234871736/ | title= Mark Ruffalo, Other Activists Urge Passage Of Voting Bill In 'Electile Dysfunction' Ad Spoof | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsBF8899">{{cite web | author= Emily Mae Czachor | date= January 6, 2022 | publisher= Buzzfeed | url= https://www.buzzfeed.com/emilymaeczachor/jennifer-lawrence-secret-tiktok | title= Jennifer Lawrence May Or May Not Be Watching Your TikTok Videos With An Account She Apparently Uses Quite Often | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsTownTopics113">{{cite web | author= Donald Gilpin | date= January 5, 2022 | publisher= Town Topics | url= https://www.towntopics.com/wordpress/2022/01/05/rally-planned-to-protect-voting-rights-commemorate-january-6-insurrection/ | title= Rally Planned to Protect Voting Rights, Commemorate January 6 Insurrection | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsMuse7998">{{cite web | author= David Gianatasio | date= October 27, 2021 | publisher= Muse magazine | url= https://musebycl.io/advertising/partisan-pizza-shop-delivers-only-homes-inside-gerrymandered-districts | title= 'Partisan' Pizza Shop Delivers Only to Homes Inside Gerrymandered Districts: RepresentUs critiques voter manipulation | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsVerge8800">{{cite web | author= Ashley Carman | date= January 11, 2022 | publisher= The Verge magazine | url= https://www.theverge.com/2022/1/11/22878374/hot-pod-podcast-audio-newsletter-spotify | title= What qualifies as a hit podcast? | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsDrum1424">{{cite web | author= Staff writers | date= October 15, 2020 | publisher= The Drum | url= https://www.thedrum.com/creative-works/project/mischief-no-fixed-address-representus-dictators | title= RepresentUs: Dictators by Mischief @ No Fixed Address | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsEA114040">{{cite web | author= Erin Russell | date= October 21, 2021 | publisher= Eater Austin | url= https://austin.eater.com/2021/10/21/22737295/free-pizza-texas-gerrymandered-district-37-austin-san-antonio-the-backspace | title= A Pizza Pop-Up Draws Attention to Gerrymandering by Offering Free Pies to District 37 Constituents: The weekend pop-up features pizza from the Backspace courtesy nonpartisan nonprofit RepresentUs | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsHill11424">{{cite web | author= Judy Kurtz | date= December 9, 2021 | work= The Hill | url= https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/584804-stephen-curry-gives-senate-full-court-press-on-voting-rights | title= Stephen Curry gives Senate full-court press on voting rights | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsVM4343">{{cite web | author= PETER GALUSZKA | date= December 9, 2021 | publisher= The Virginia Mercury | url= https://www.virginiamercury.com/2021/12/09/how-viriginias-redistricting-commission-to-stacks-up-to-other-states/ | title= How Virginia's new redistricting commission to stacks up to other states | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsTT747">{{cite web | author= ROSS RAMSEY | date= November 1, 2021 | publisher= The Texas Tribune | url= https://www.texastribune.org/2021/11/01/texas-redistricting-maps/ | title= Analysis: With grades like these for political maps, Texas won't be making the honor roll: The new political maps drawn by Texas Republicans have run into some criticism from academics studying gerrymandering. That puts the Texans in the same boat with Illinois Democrats. | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsHR8899">{{cite web | author= LAUREN HUFF | date= February 27, 2019 | publisher= The Hollywood Reporter | url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/politics-news/jennifer-lawrence-representus-debut-anti-corruption-short-film-1190578/ | title= Jennifer Lawrence Partners With RepresentUs for Anti-Corruption Short Film: Bipartisan anti-corruption group RepresentUs has enlisted its board member Jennifer Lawrence to star in a new short film that breaks down how the nation can fix broken elections and work to rid the political system of corruption. | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsIndependent141">{{cite web | author= Peony Hirwani | date= June 14, 2021 | work= The Independent | url= https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/jennifer-lawrence-republicans-youtube-psa-b1865239.html | title= Jennifer Lawrence hits out at 'cheating' Republicans attacking right to vote in new advert: 'Let the politicians bicker...let's just make sure they remember who they work for' | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsDO11423">{{cite web | author= SIMONE CARTER | date= April 23, 2021 | publisher= Dallas Observer | url= https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/the-office-actor-ed-helms-learns-what-gerrymandering-means-in-new-short-film-12010163 | title= This is Some Dark Orwellian Sh*t': Actor Ed Helms Discovers Gerrymandering in New Ad | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsChar443343">{{cite web | author= GARY PEARCE AND CARTER WRENN | date= October 21, 2021 | publisher= Charlotte Observer | url= https://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/article255145572.html | title= We're usually on opposite sides of political battles. But we agree on NC voting maps. | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsAJC434">{{cite web | author= Rodney Ho | date= April 22, 2021 | publisher= Atlanta Journal & Constitution | url= https://www.ajc.com/life/radiotvtalk-blog/atlanta-native-and-office-star-ed-helms-does-psa-mocking-dangers-of-gerrymandering/2VIZN5LIZFBU3OB4N4QUI575EI/ | title= Atlanta native and 'Office' star Ed Helms does PSA mocking dangers of gerrymandering | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsDes434">{{cite web | author= D. Hunter Schwarz | date= December 14, 2021 | publisher= Deseret News | url= https://www.deseret.com/2021/12/14/22816422/how-redistricting-will-shape-politics-in-the-west-for-the-next-decade-california-arizona-utah | title= How redistricting will shape politics in the West for the next decade: There's a big difference between states with independent commissions that redraw election district maps and states without them | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<!-- Not in use <ref name="twsAPN43">{{cite web | author= NICHOLAS RICCARDI | date= December 9, 2021 | publisher= AP News | url= https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-texas-donald-trump-dallas-legislature-15c68c64b7c477c8a3cd0f1a95e82280 | title= How redistricting is killing competition for House seats | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref> Not in use-->
<ref name="twsRC009">{{cite web | author= Michael Macagnone | date= October 29, 2021 | publisher= Roll Call magazine | url= https://www.rollcall.com/2021/10/29/multiple-members-face-primaries-under-new-illinois-map/ | title= Multiple members face primaries under new Illinois map: Democrats could gain a seat even as state delegation shrinks | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsOhio4543">{{cite web | author= ARIANA FIGUEROA | date= September 23, 2021 | publisher= Ohio Capital Journal | url= https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2021/09/23/advocates-press-for-action-in-congress-on-voting-rights-despite-grim-outlook/ | title= Advocates press for action in Congress on voting rights, despite grim outlook | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsDrum888">{{cite web | author= Staff writers | date= October 1, 2020 | publisher= The Drum | url= https://www.thedrum.com/creative-works/project/representus-naked-ballot | title= RepresentUs: Naked Ballot | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsWaPo14569">{{cite news | author= Helena Andrews-Dyer | date= February 27, 2019 | newspaper= The Washington Post | url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/02/27/actress-jennifer-lawrence-lays-out-plan-save-america/ | title= Actress Jennifer Lawrence lays out a plan to save America | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsAxios9999">{{cite web | author= Stef W. Kight | date= December 15, 2021 | publisher= Axios | url= https://www.axios.com/states-grade-redistricting-gerrymandering-2022-election-house-9779bb90-9aba-4e44-98dc-b9f4d0b7333f.html | title= Congressional mapmakers receive "F" grade in five states: Grades for new 2022 congressional maps, by state | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsWNYC11">{{cite web | author= Katerina Barton (producer) Melissa Harris-Perry (host) | date= November 12, 2021 | publisher= WNYC Studios | url= https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/takeaway/segments/redistricting-and-voting-rights | title= Redistricting and Voting Rights | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsTenn9977">{{cite web | author= Mary Richards | date= April 9, 2021 | publisher= The Tennessean | url= https://www.tennessean.com/story/opinion/2021/04/09/people-act-could-help-my-former-patients-heres-how/7159937002/ | title= The For the People Act could help my former patients. It puts power back in the hands of citizens by checking the power of lobbyists, limiting dark money and ending partisan gerrymandering. | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsTN99">{{cite web | author= John Nichols | date= August 13, 2021 | publisher= The Nation | url= https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/2020-census-gerrymandering-redistricting/ | title= The Next Gerrymandering Nightmare Has Begun: With the release of 2020 Census data, GOP legislators will rush to draw new maps. If they get their way, they're likely to flip the US House. | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsTheHill9494">{{cite web | author= JUDY KURTZ | date= April 1, 2021 | work= The Hill | url= https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/545944-amy-schumer-backs-voting-rights-bill-the-for-the-people-act-is | title= Amy Schumer backs voting rights bill: 'The For the People Act is awesome, unless you hate democracy' | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsNewsOne443">{{cite web | author= Anoa Changa | date= December 18, 2021 | publisher= News One | url= https://newsone.com/4262478/president-biden-finally-serious-about-voting-rights/ | title= President Biden Finally Gets Serious About Voting Rights, Hopefully It's Not Too Late.: The president's comments Friday reflect a significant turn from early remarks such as telling people they will have to out-organize voter suppression yet again. | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsEsquire101">{{cite web | author= Jack Holmes | date= January 25, 2021 | publisher= Esquire | url= https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a35296946/hr1-for-the-people-bill-reform-money-in-politics/ | title= If We Don't Pass H.R. 1, 'We Are F*cked as a Nation': It's a comprehensive reform bill for our democracy designed to fix many of the most corrupting features of the system. Can the slim Democratic majorities in Congress get it to Joe Biden's desk? | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsTechRev00844">{{cite web | author= Julia Hotz | date= April 28, 2021 | publisher= Technology Review | url= https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/04/28/1022738/democracy-dollars-seattle-election-voting-donors/ | title= Can "democracy dollars" keep real dollars out of politics? Seattle gave residents $100 in a bid to make the city's campaign contributions more representative of its electorate. Now, the program is spreading. | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsSFNews4040">{{cite web | author= Dillon Mullan | date= May 8, 2021 | publisher= Santa Fe New Mexican News | url= https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/dozens-rally-for-voting-rights-in-santa-fe-demonstration/article_f08d36cc-ae8d-11eb-a1f6-23334538593f.html | title= Dozens rally for voting rights in Santa Fe demonstration | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsBI435">{{cite web | author= Camila DeChalus, Kimberly Leonard, Warren Rojas and Madison Hall | date= Dec 13, 2021 | publisher= Business Insider | url= https://www.businessinsider.com/lawmakers-bought-sold-covid-19-related-stocks-during-pandemic-2021-12 | title= As the pandemic raged, at least 75 lawmakers bought and sold stock in companies that make COVID-19 vaccines, treatments, and tests | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsMIC7454">{{cite web | author= OPHELI GARCIA LAWLER | date= September 25, 2019 | publisher= MIC magazine | url= https://www.mic.com/impact/meet-renaldo-pearson-the-millennial-activist-who-walked-600-miles-for-democracy-18803277 | title= Meet Renaldo Pearson, the millennial activist who walked 600 miles for democracy | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsNYT77">{{cite web | author= David Marchese | date= April 12, 2021 | work= The New York Times | url= https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/04/12/magazine/adam-mckay-interview.html | title= Adam McKay on How to Be Political and Entertaining and Not Destroy the World | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsMIC323">{{cite web | author= RAY LEVY UYEDA | date= October 21, 2020 | publisher= MIC magazine | url= https://www.mic.com/impact/what-is-true-the-vote-behind-the-right-wing-organization-that-claims-to-want-to-protect-the-election-34790376 | title= True the Vote is trying to make you deeply, unnecessarily scared of voter fraud | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsHarvard243">{{cite web | author= Lucy Ding | date= November 12, 2020 | publisher= Harvard Political Review | url= https://harvardpolitics.com/electoral-reforms/ | title= By The People, For The People: Electoral Reforms | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsMilitary434">{{cite web | author= Patricia Kime | date= September 24, 2020 | publisher= | url= https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/09/24/former-joint-chiefs-chairman-joins-call-ensure-troops-votes-are-all-counted.html | title= Former Joint Chiefs Chairman Joins Call to Ensure Troops' Votes Are All Counted | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsAxios456">{{cite web | author= Stef W. Kight, Naema Ahmed | date= August 13, 2020 | publisher= Axios | url= https://www.axios.com/facebook-will-ban-new-political-ads-a-week-before-election-day-9960498d-1477-4db7-8a5e-07886d218d2a.html | title= When and how to vote in all 50 states | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsNewsweek400">{{cite web | author= Omar Epps and Desmond Meade | date= July 10, 2020 | publisher= Newsweek | url= https://www.newsweek.com/justice-prison-private-prisons-bail-reform-1516966 | title= Let's Take Big Money Out of America's Justice System {{!}} Opinion | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsNC41243">{{cite web | author= AHTRA ELNASHAR | date= November 16, 2020 | publisher= News Channel 3 | url= https://wwmt.com/news/beyond-the-podium/president-trumps-odds-of-litigating-election-victory-dwindle-as-states-certify-results | title= President Trump's odds of litigating election victory dwindle as states certify results | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsWV4990">{{cite web | author= Chris Slater | date= June 22, 2021 | publisher= West Virginia's News | url= https://www.wvnews.com/news/wvnews/multiple-small-business-owners-in-morgantown-join-coalition-with-more-than-100-west-virginia-businesses/article_87068c1e-0c43-52bd-80fd-7c3b1e484627.html | title= Multiple small business owners in Morgantown join coalition with more than 100 West Virginia businesses to support 'For the People Act' voting rights bill | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsCCN415243">{{cite web | author= Adam West | date= October 19, 2020 | publisher= CC News | url= | title= With a Focus on Anti-Corruption, RepresentUs Aims to Bring Conservatives and Progressives Together to Ensure the Integrity of American Democracy | accessdate= }}</ref>
<ref name="twsPasq2323">{{cite web | author= Aras Troy | date= October 23, 2017 | publisher= Pasquines magazine | url= https://pasquines.us/2019/10/23/representus-ignores-us-territories-in-campaign/ | title= REPRESENTUS IGNORES US TERRITORIES IN CAMPAIGN | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsSCS00474">{{cite web | author= Alani Vargas | date= October 21, 2020 | publisher= Showbiz cheat Sheet | url= https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/jennifer-lawrence-was-a-little-republican-growing-up-but-donald-trump-changed-that-more-for-the-actor.html/ | title= Jennifer Lawrence 'Was a Little Republican' Growing up, but Donald Trump Changed That More for the Actor | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsBM00787">{{cite web | author= Bill Moyers (host) Josh Silver (guest) | date= April 12, 2013 | publisher= Bill Moyers | url= https://billmoyers.com/2013/04/12/fixing-washingtons-biggest-problem/ | title= Fixing Washington's Biggest Problem | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsIVN48">{{cite web | author= Shawn Griffiths | date= August 31, 2020 | publisher= IVN | url= https://ivn.us/posts/star-studded-event-raises-2-million-for-save-and-secure-elections-in-2020 | title= Star-Studded Event Raises $2.1 Million for Safe and Secure Elections in 2020 | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="twsMJ2143">{{cite web | author= GAVIN ARONSEN | date= November 13, 2012 | publisher= Mother Jones | url= https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/11/represent-us-campaign-finance-reform/ | title= New Group Unveils Its Plan to Get Money Out of Politics | accessdate= January 21, 2022 }}</ref>
}}
==External links== * {{Official website}} * ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfQij4aQq1k Unbreaking America: Solving the Corruption Crisis]'' YouTube video narrated by Jennifer Lawrence
{{Authority control}}
Category:Non-profit organizations based in Massachusetts Category:Nonpartisan organizations in the United States Category:American organizations established in 2012