- Citizens In Charge Foundation
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The Citizens in Charge Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Virginia. The Foundation is the only national organization dedicated to promoting the initiative & referendum process.[1]
Citizens in Charge Foundation works with activists, media, educators, opinion leaders and voters to protect the initiative & referendum process where it exists in 24 states and to expand the process to the 26 states where voters currently lack the initiative. Citizens in Charge Foundation works across party lines to educate the public on the benefits of citizen initiative, referendum and recall and also litigates to protect and expand those rights.[2]
Citizens in Charge Foundation empowers grassroots leaders across the country through their Citizen State Coordinator Program. These volunteer coordinators make a difference by engaging in activities at the local and state level to protect and defend the ballot initiative process. Our team of Citizen State Coordinators mobilizes “boots-on-the-ground” activists, meets and works with elected officials and opinion leaders, and hosts educational events.[3]
The process of initiative and referendum is critical if we are to shift power back into the hands of ordinary citizens. Citizens in Charge Foundation and Citizens in Charge are uniquely positioned as the only national organizations committed to defending the ballot initiative process in states where it exists and expanding it to those states where citizens currently lack the process.[4]
CICF is non-partisan and does not support any initiatives, referenda, or candidates for office.
Contents
Key personnel
Paul Jacob is the founder and president of Citizens in Charge Foundation.[5]
Other prominent board members include Theresa Amato, former campaign manager for Ralph Nader in 2000 and 2004; Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform; William Redpath, chairman of the Libertarian Party; and Rob Richie, executive director of FairVote.
Save the Initiative Tour
The Save The Initiative Tour is a public relations effort led by Paul Jacob that started in 2008 to familiarize voters in the 24 states with I&R about threats to the citizen initiative process.[6],[7],[8]
States where state legislators are pushing legislation to make it considerably more difficult for initiatives to qualify for the ballot include Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Maine, Maryland, Nebraska, and Washington.
Litigation work
Citizens in Charge Foundation litigates nationally in defense of initiative rights.
Past litigation
- Funded the successful case, Citizens for Tax Reform v. Deters, whereby Ohio’s ban on paying petition circulators by the signature was struck down in 2008. The state’s appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court was denied.
- Filed Amicus curiae brief in Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action v. Granholm urging the court to allow the Michigan Civil Rights initiative Committee to intervene in the challenge to their successful initiative. The state officials handling the suit publicly opposed the initiative.
- Amicus curiae brief was filed in LetOhioVote.org v. Brunner, a case calling for Ohio to abide by its constitutional requirement that new gambling allowances must be put to a statewide vote.
- Funded research and negotiations with Nebraska’s Secretary of State in, Mann v. Gale, wherein the Secretary of State agreed to standardize procedures used to verify signatures.
Ongoing litigation
- Citizens in Charge, et al v. Miller challenges Nevada’s narrow interpretation of the single-subject requirement for initiatives. This case was filed in federal district court in Nevada.
- Citizens in Charge v. Brunner challenges Ohio’s arbitrary referendum title setting process. The case is pending in federal district court.
- Working with the ACLU to challenge Nebraska’s residency requirement, county-based distribution requirement, and requirement that petitions indicate whether circulators are paid or volunteer. A complaint is being drafted and will be filed by year’s end.
Funding
The Citizens In Charge Foundation does not accept government funding and is supported entirely by the goodwill of private donors.
Citizens in Charge
Citizens in Charge is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization started by Paul Jacob in 2001 that works directly with public officials and voters to protect and spread ballot initiative rights. Citizens in Charge and Citizens in Charge Foundation are separate organizations.[9] Paul Jacob also serves as president of Citizens In Charge.
External links
- Citizens in Charge Foundation official website
- Ballotpedia.org profile of Citizens in Charge Foundation
References
- ^ About Citizens In Charge Foundation, accessed January 14, 2010.
- ^ About Citizens In Charge Foundation, accessed January 14, 2010.
- ^ Become a Citizen State Coordinator., accessed January 14, 2010
- ^ Strategies & Goals, accessed January 14, 2010.
- ^ Paul Jacob, accessed January 14, 2010.
- ^ Initiative crusader visits state to push rejection of House bill, February 13, 2008, The Olympian.
- ^ Jacob ready to tour against Edmondson's reindictment
- ^ Paul Jacob kicks off the Save The Initiative blog tour
- ^ About Citizens in Charge, a 501(c)(4), accessed January 14, 2010.
Categories:- Political organizations in the United States
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