Peach Tree Times

Common Cause has initiated a series of press briefings titled 'Protecting Democracy in the South.' During their first session, state leaders discussed various voting rights and democracy-related issues they intend to focus on as legislative sessions begin in states like Georgia, Texas, Florida, and North Carolina.

Rosario Palacios, executive director of Common Cause Georgia, emphasized their advocacy for accessible voting rights and government transparency. She stated: "While legislators decide their priority areas through the actions on Capitol Square in Atlanta, our focus as an organization is clear: Common Cause Georgia will be advocating for accessible voting rights, voting rights restoration, and government transparency throughout our legislative processes. We proudly remind lawmakers that voters deserve an opportunity to shape democracy at the polls, free from interference or intimidation."

Bob Phillips from Common Cause North Carolina criticized a legal challenge by Jefferson Griffin regarding election results. He remarked: "Losing North Carolina Supreme Court candidate Jefferson Griffin’s ploy to toss our votes is an injustice. Griffin is demanding that the courts do the unthinkable: throw away the lawful ballots of 60,000 North Carolinians and overturn the election. Join us as we fight back and tell the courts that ‘Our votes matter!’"

Emily Eby French of Common Cause Texas outlined their legislative goals which include online voter registration and campaign finance reform. She noted: “This legislative session, we’ll be advocating for policies like online voter registration... We’ll also advocate for campaign finance reform because Texans deserve a government reflective of all of us.”

Amy Keith from Common Cause Florida expressed concerns about a special legislative session called by the Governor. She said: “The Governor’s call for a special session at the end of January...is an unnecessary waste of taxpayer money in an attempt to serve his own political ambitions.”

A video recording of this briefing is available online.