The People’s Watchdog Newsletter - May 23

This week’s Common Cause newsletter is just a 7.5 minute read at 850 words.

Saturday, May 23, 2026 👋 Hi Pamela! Happy Saturday. In the Watchdog Newsletter, we share what you need to know to hold power accountable from the nonpartisan source you can trust. This watchdog doesn’t give in to pressure from presidents. This week’s Common Cause newsletter is just a 7.5 minute read at 850 words. 📍 After Callais, All Roads Lead to the South In the last newsletter, we told you Florida became the first major battleground after the Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais. This week, the fight is spreading — and all roads on voting rights are leading to the South. Now in Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp is calling lawmakers back for a special session to redraw the state’s political maps ahead of the 2028 election, even though the Callais decision does not require Georgia to redraw its congressional maps. Common Cause has already made our position clear: if lawmakers pass maps that dilute Black voting power, we’ll exhaust every legal option to stop them. And we’re already mobilizing our members to speak up. This is exactly the threat we warned about: politicians using a weakened Voting Rights Act as an excuse to grab power, silence voters, and redraw communities out of fair representation. But voters aren’t standing down. Last weekend, Common Cause joined partners and community members for All Roads Lead to the South, a national day of action centered on voting rights, fair representation, and the ongoing fight against attacks on our democracy. Our message was heard loudly from Alabama to communities across the country: our fight for voting rights isn’t over. Florida was the first test after Callais, and now, its Georgia. Wherever anti-voter politicians try to rig the rules, Common Cause will be there to fight back. 💰 Trump to Convicted J6ers: “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” This week, thanks to public pressure and legal action taken by Common Cause, President Trump dropped his baseless $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS. But that doesn't mean the story is over. President Trump has gone to plan B: creating a $1.8 billion taxpayer-funded slush fund. He wants to take your hard-earned tax dollars and hand it over to the criminals, cronies, and insurrectionists who assaulted police officers in his name and tried to overturn our democracy on January 6. That’s why we just filed a lawsuit against this move. This slush fund is completely unconscionable, and more importantly, it’s illegal. We’re suing to protect hardworking Americans and ensure public money goes towards making our lives more affordable, not paying out the president’s political allies. Join us in rejecting Trump’s unprecedented $1.8 billion slush fund and demanding full accountability. 📖✍🏽 Sick of the Spin? We’re Breaking Down the Truth on Substack We’re making it easier than ever to understand what’s happening in our democracy — no law degree, political science background, or a full afternoon to decode the news required. This week, we’re spotlighting two new Common Cause Substack series: Pop Congress from Preston Mitchum, our senior director of legislative affairs, breaks down what’s happening on Capitol Hill through the lens of pop culture. Preston has worked at the intersection of law, policy, and advocacy at organizations like The Trevor Project, Center for American Progress, and URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity. He brings years of policy and advocacy experience — plus firsthand reality TV experience — to make Congress feel more familiar, accessible, and real. Reading Between the Lines, written by Dan Vicuña, our senior policy director for voting and fair representation, unpacks voting rights and fair representation fights beyond the “horse-race” headlines and legal jargon. Dan has spent years working on fair maps, including Rucho v. Common Cause, and brings that expertise to help readers understand what these fights mean for real people. Staying informed shouldn’t feel impossible. These new series are here to make the news easier to follow, the stakes clearer, and the work ahead more connected to your everyday life. Check out the first posts and subscribe to Common Cause on Substack. 📱 Our Favorite Post 👀 ICYMI We're working so hard to protect our democracy, we could write you a novel instead of a newsletter. Instead, here are the top headlines you don't want to miss: Colorado ⛷️: Governor Polis reduced Tina Peters’ 9-year prison sentence after she was convicted on multiple felony charges for leading one of the biggest election security breaches in American history. We condemned the decision, making clear that attacks on our elections must come with real accountability. Read it here. California 🐻: As California voters prepare for the June primary, election officials are opening their doors through tours, livestreams, and public education. Common Cause is helping voters understand the election process so they can cast their ballots with confidence. Read more. Georgia 🍑: The Georgia fight is drawing national attention as a possible preview of how politicians can test the limits after Callais. We're mobilizing voters so they can track what’s happening, speak out, and demand maps that protect fair representation. Learn more here. Pennsylvania 🔔: As Pennsylvania voters cast their ballots, Common Cause is leading our nonpartisan Election Protection program to help voters navigate the process and make their voices heard. Read more. 📊 By the Numbers 🗞️ Kicker Quote 👕 Wear Your Values If you're not following Common Cause, you’re not getting the truth. If you were forwarded this newsletter and want to sign up too, click here. For updates, follow us on X [Twitter], Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, Substack, Facebook, and TikTok. Common Cause is a leader in fights that matter at the local and state level. Your support helps us fight special interests, hold elected officials accountable, and build a better democracy for all Floridians. DONATE Interested in volunteering with our Action Team? Sign up here. 333 3rd Ave N, Unit 427 St. Petersburg Fl, 33701 202.833.1200 https://commoncause.org Common Cause’s work to defend and strengthen our democracy is powered by members like you. You can use this link to unsubscribe or let us know you'd like to receive fewer emails from us.

Sent via ActionNetwork.org. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from Common Cause, please click here.