I join the overwhelming majority of West Virginia to demand an amendment to the United States Constitution to end the domination of big money in politics and give voice to all Americans.
I will stand with West Virginia, without regard to party or other differences, and urge all candidates and elected officials to do the same, in order to pass and ratify such a constitutional amendment as soon as possible.
West Virginia citizens are joining with Americans across the country to strengthen our nation against the corruption of money in politics, foreign interference, division, and dysfunction. We are using our voices to say that the decisions that matter in our state and our lives should be up to us.
In 2020 more than $14B was spent on state elections in the United States, the vast majority of it from a very small percentage of ultra-wealthy donors. To protect the right of West Virginia voters to make our own decisions and our way of life, we must stand together to end the flood of money drowning out our voices in local, State and Federal elections.
West Virginia Is Ready to Ratify
Introduced on February 19, 2013 by Delegate Meshea Poore [37] et al., HR 9 passed the House on March 28. It called for a constitutional amendment to establish that corporations and unions to the constitutional rights and protections of natural persons, and to assure the power of federal, state, and local governments to limit, regulate, and require disclosure of all money spent to influence elections. Introduced on March 5, 2013 by Senator Herb Snyder [16] et al., SR 24 passed the Senate on April 10. It called for a constitutional amendment to address Citizens United, using language nearly identical to HR 9.
Date Passed – April 10, 2013
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West Virginia & American Promise
West Virginia citizens are joining with Americans across the country to strengthen our nation against the corruption of money in politics, foreign interference, division, and dysfunction. We are using our voices to say that the decisions that matter in our state and our lives should be up to us.
In 2020 more than $14B was spent on state elections in the United States, the vast majority of it from a very small percentage of ultra-wealthy donors. To protect the right of West Virginia voters to make our own decisions and our way of life, we must stand together to end the flood of money drowning out our voices in local, State and Federal elections.
American Promise is mobilizing a grassroots, volunteer-led effort to keep the issue of money in politics at the forefront of the political conversation in each state through media outreach, petition signing events, lobby days, civics education and much more. Here’s a timeline of our progress so far:
22 states have called on Congress to pass the amendment.
Millions of Americans have signed petitions and voted for the proposed For Our Freedom Amendment in state and local initiatives.
Voters and local representatives in nearly 1,000 cities and towns have met in town meetings and local councils to debate and pass resolutions to condemn the influence of unlimited money in elections and to advance the For Our Freedom Amendment.
Americans in all 50 states have signed the citizen pledge.
Amendment legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House and Senate.
Volunteer
Volunteering makes American Promise possible in West Virginia.
Across the nation, American Promise volunteers do the meaningful grassroots organizing work that drives our successful strategy, making a better future for us all. We offer resources and support to empower a nationwide network dedicated to ensuring every American has an equal voice in the decisions that affect our lives.
Volunteer opportunities include everything from talking with neighbors and colleagues to writing letters to the editor and gathering pledges from elected officials. No matter your skills or interests, you can meaningfully contribute to this critical work.