Midwest Democracy Network

+ see all issues content

Media Reform

Television broadcasters have a responsibility to promote democratic participation through ongoing, high-quality coverage of government, public affairs, elections, candidates and issues. Recent studies show, however, that broadcasters are not honoring the public interest obligations they accept in exchange for free use of the airwaves.

Nearly $200 Million Spent on Presidential Campaign TV Ads to Date

June 2008

The Wisconsin Advertising Project

Almost $200 million has been spent on television advertising so far during this presidential election year, with the overwhelming amount of recent spending coming from the race for the Democratic nomination.

read more >>

Midwest News Index: Midwest Local TV Newscasts Average 36 Seconds of Election Coverage in Typical 30-Minute Broadcast

October, 2006

University of Wisconsin-Madison News Lab

In the month following the traditional Labor Day kickoff of the 2006 election campaign season, television stations in nine Midwest markets devoted an average of 36 seconds to election coverage during the typical 30-minute local news broadcast, a new analysis shows.

read more >>

Midwest News Index: Midwest Local TV Newscasts Devote 2.5 Times as Much Air Time to Political Ads as Election Coverage, Study Finds

November, 2006

University of Wisconsin-Madison News Lab

In the month leading up to the recent 2006 mid-term elections, local television news viewers got considerably more information about campaigns from paid political advertisements than from actual news coverage, a new study shows.

read more >>

Midwest News Index: Midwest Reform Groups Call on FCC to Hold TV Broadcasters Accountable for Inadequate Election and Government Coverage

June, 2007

University of Wisconsin-Madison News Lab

An alliance of Midwest civic and political reform groups is calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to impose stronger public interest obligations on local television...

read more >>

+ see all issues content

Judicial Independence

The influence of money in politics has spread to the judicial system and has created a real threat to the public's perception of independent and impartial judges. A fair and impartial judiciary is essential in maintaining our government's system of checks and balances, and preserving our rights.

Fair Courts: Setting Recusal Standards

April 2008

Brennan Center for Justice

The paper describes the increasing threats to the impartiality of America's state courts and argues that they have been spurred by two trends: the growing influence of money in judicial elections and the dismantling of codes of judicial ethics that once helped to preserve the distinctive character of the judiciary, even during the course of campaigns for the bench.

read more >>

The New Politics of Judicial Elections in the Great Lakes States, 2000-2008

April 2008

The Justice at Stake Campaign

This special report shows how five midwestern states-Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin-have become caught up in America's "New Politics of Judicial Elections." Between 2000 and April of 2008, four of these states have become national symbols of rising special interest pressure on state Supreme Courts, along with serious attempts at reform...

read more >>

Report Shows Spread of Special Interest Pressure, Growing Clout of Business Groups in State Supreme Court Elections

May 2007

The Justice at Stake Campaign

WASHINGTON, DC - Special interest pressure is metastasizing into a permanent national threat to the fairness and impartiality of America's courts, according to a major new report from the Justice at Stake Campaign...

read more >>

National Groups to Speak In Favor of Supreme Court Public Financing for Wisconsin

February 2008

The Justice at Stake Campaign

Groups cite polling of business leaders, voters in push for reform

read more >>

Poll: Minnesota Voters Alarmed By Prospect of Big Money, Special Interests in Judicial Elections

January 2008

The Justice at Stake Campaign

read more >>

+ see all issues content

Campaign Finance Reform

The explosive flood of special interest money into our political system has lead to a growing mistrust of government. Reforms in our campaign finance system aim to diminish the power of money in politics and government by promoting honesty, accountability and transparency.

Nearly $200 Million Spent on Presidential Campaign TV Ads to Date

June 2008

Wisconsin Advertising Project

Democrats Dominate the Airwaves

Almost $200 million has been spent on television advertising so far during this presidential election year, with the overwhelming amount of recent spending coming from the race for the Democratic nomination.

read more >>

Reform Advocates Call on Governor to Stop Accepting Campaign Contributions from State Contractors

May 2008

The Illinois Campaign for Finance Reform

The leaders of seven Illinois government reform organizations urged Gov. Rod Blagojevich to sign House Bill 824, which would limit pay-to-play opportunities in state contracting and called on Blagojevich to stop soliciting and accepting contributions from state contractors...

read more...

State Donors Pitch "527" Groups Record Cash

May 2008

The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign

Democratic groups getting most of the Wisconsin contributions

Wisconsin business, unions and individuals have contributed a record $1.5 million in the first 15 months of the 2007-08 election cycle to unregulated groups most of which raise and spend unlimited amounts on negative advertising, mailings and other outside activities in state and national elections, a Wisconsin Democracy Campaign analysis shows...

read more...

Top PACs have raised $21.8 million this cycle

April 2008

Michigan Campaign Finance Network

Michigan's top 150 political action committees (PACs) have raised $21.8 million so far this election cycle, according to reports filed with the Michigan Bureau of Elections...

read more...

Statehouse Crock

Wisconsin Democracy Campaign

presents...

The Cost of Corruption

2007

The Sunshine Project

Political Corruption in Illinois and What to Do About It

read more >>

Show Me the Money

2008

The Sunshine Project

Cash Clout In Illinois Politics

read more >>

Fair Courts: Setting Recusal Standards

April 2008

Brennan Center for Justice

The paper describes the increasing threats to the impartiality of America's state courts and argues that they have been spurred by two trends: the growing influence of money in judicial elections and the dismantling of codes of judicial ethics that once helped to preserve the distinctive character of the judiciary, even during the course of campaigns for the bench.

read more >>

Campaign Finance Reports

March 2007

Brennan Center for Justice

These reports examines campaign finance laws and the ways they've worked - or haven't worked - to limit the influence of money on politics in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

read more >>

National Groups to Speak In Favor of Supreme Court Public Financing for Wisconsin

February 2008

Justice at Stake

Groups cite polling of business leaders, voters in push for reform

read more >>

National Watchdog Applauds Wisconsin Senate for Action on Supreme Court Campaign Finance Reform

February 2008

Justice at Stake

read more >>

Poll: Minnesota Voters Alarmed By Prospect of Big Money, Special Interests in Judicial Elections

January 2008

Justice at Stake

read more >>

+ see all issues content

Election Law & Voting Rights

Recent elections have revealed glaring faults in election administration systems across the country. Oversight of election authorities must be strengthened to ensure they are nonpartisan in their administration, while promoting full participation in our electoral process.

League of Women Voters of Wisconsin Education Fund

April 2008

League of Women Voters

Response to Supreme Court Decision on Voter ID...

read more >>

Felon Disenfranchisement in Ohio and Nationwide

December 2007

Election Law at Moritz College of Law

Felon disenfranchisement laws strip criminals convicted of certain crimes of their right to vote. Denying criminals the right to vote has been traced back to the Roman era, and the practice was a component of the medieval and colonial tradition of imposing "civil death" on offenders by denying them a range of political and social rights...

read more >>

Restoring the Right to Vote

May 2008

Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law

Today in the United States, over five million otherwise eligible citizens cannot vote because of a felony conviction...

read more >>

From Registration to Recounts:

December 2007

The Election Ecosystems of Five Midwestern States

Election Law at Moritz College of Law

Study Finds Deficiencies in Election Administration Systems
COLUMBUS, OHIO - With the 2008 presidential election quickly approaching, a recent analysis of the election administration systems of several key battleground states showed deficient systems that jeopardize voters' access to the polls...

read more >>

+ see all issues content

Open Government

The public has a right to know how its government is being run. For a government to be held accountable to the public, it must operate in the open. Public access to government records and meetings are necessary in order to keep our government honest, responsive, and democratic.

Coming soon...

+ see all issues content

Redistricting

Deliberately gerrymandered election districts deprive voters of meaningful choices, heighten partisanship and undermine the representativeness of legislative bodies. In order for elected officials to be responsive to the public interest, new laws and processes for bipartisan redistricting must be created.

New Guide Brings Redistricting Out into the Open

July 2008

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, George Mason University, and the Joyce Foundation are pleased to announce the release of A Citizen's Guide to Redistricting, authored by Brennan Center counsel Justin Levitt.

read more >>

Minnesota Redistricting Project

Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs

The Center for the Study of Politics and Governance carries out its Minnesota Redistricting project with the generous support of the Joyce Foundation and guided by its Advisory Board chaired by Vice President Walter Mondale and former Governor Arne Carlson.

read more >>

+ see all issues content

Research

MDN Presidential Questionnaire

November 2007; February 2008

Midwest Democracy Network

MDN Releases Presidential Candidates' Final Responses to Political Reform Questionnaire

Since mid-February, the country has witnessed a heated debate about which presidential candidates are or are not committed to forgoing private financing of their general election campaigns this fall in favor of participating in the presidential public financing system...

read more >>

New poll gauges Midwest's attitudes on political reform

June 2008

Midwest Democracy Network

Midwesterners issue call to action on reform and voice support for candidates who offer changes in political system

Distrust of state government continues to rise in five-state region, public supports broad political reform agenda to make government more effective...

read more >>

The New Politics of Judicial Elections in the Great Lakes States, 2000-2008

April 2008

The Justice at Stake Campaign

This special report shows how five midwestern states-Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin-have become caught up in America's "New Politics of Judicial Elections." Between 2000 and April of 2008, four of these states have become national symbols of rising special interest pressure on state Supreme Courts, along with serious attempts at reform...

read more >>

Restoring the Right to Vote

May 2008

Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law

Today in the United States, over five million otherwise eligible citizens cannot vote because of a felony conviction...

read more >>

Obama Dominated Television Advertising in Wisconsin

February 2008

Wisconsin Advertising Project

Outspent Clinton by almost Five-to-One, study finds; and outspent all candidates by over Two-to-One

Half of Clinton's ads had negative content, with first significant ad tussle taking place in Badger state

read more >>

Despite distrust of state government, Midwesterners still believe political reforms possible, worth pursuing

August 2006

Midwest Democracy Network

Although they generally don't trust state government to do what is right, Midwesterners believe political and government reforms will make elected officials more responsive on key issues such as education, health care and jobs...

read more >>

Democratic Renewal: A Call to Action from America's Heartland

January 2008

Midwest Democracy Network

Midwest reform groups sound alarms about serious flaws in state political systems

read more >>

+ see all state content

Illinois

Campaign Finance Reform

Reform Advocates Call on Governor to Stop Accepting Campaign Contributions from State Contractors

The leaders of seven Illinois government reform organizations urged Gov. Rod Blagojevich to sign House Bill 824, which would limit pay-to-play opportunities in state contracting and called on Blagojevich to stop soliciting and accepting contributions from state contractors...

read more >>

Campaign Finance Reform

Illinois Channel

Unedited, Nonpartisan Coverage of Illinois State Government and Public Affairs...

read more >>

Campaign Finance Reform

The Cost of Corruption

The Sunshine Project; Political Corruption in Illinois and What to Do About It

read more >>

Campaign Finance Reform

Show Me the Money

The Sunshine Project; Cash Clout In Illinois Politics

read more >>

Media Reform

Midwest News Index
October, 2006
Illinois snapshot

Midwest Local TV Newscasts Average 36 Seconds of Election Coverage in Typical 30-Minute Broadcast

read more >>

Media Reform

Midwest News Index
November, 2006
Illinois snapshot

Midwest Local TV Newscasts Devote 2.5 Times as Much Air Time to Political Ads as Election Coverage, Study Finds

read more >>

Judicial Independence

Report Shows Spread of Special Interest Pressure, Growing Clout of Business Groups in State Supreme Court Elections
May, 2007
Illinois news release

read more >>

Campaign Finance Reform

Brennan Center for Justice Campaign Finance Reports
March, 2007
Illinois report

read more >>

Election Law & Voting Rights

From Registration to Recounts: The Election Ecosystems of Five Midwestern States
December, 2007
Illinois summary, response

Illinois summary >>

Illinois response >>

Research

Despite distrust of state government, Midwesterners still believe political reforms possible, worth pursuing
August, 2006
Illinois report

read more >>

Research

Democratic Renewal: A Call to Action from America's Heartland
January, 2008

Illinois News Release >>

Illinois Summary >>

+ see all state content

Michigan

Judicial Independence

Are your judges clean?

Report wants public dollars, not special interests, for top justices Judicial elections are becoming political prizefights where partisans and special interests seek to install judges who will answer to them instead of the law and the Constitution," said former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor...

read more >>

Campaign Finance Reform

Michigan Campaign Finance Network:

Top PACs have raised $21.8 million this cycle...

read more >>

Media Reform

Midwest News Index
October, 2006
Michigan snapshot

Midwest Local TV Newscasts Average 36 Seconds of Election Coverage in Typical 30-Minute Broadcast

read more >>

Media Reform

Midwest News Index
November, 2006
Michigan snapshot

Midwest Local TV Newscasts Devote 2.5 Times as Much Air Time to Political Ads as Election Coverage, Study Finds

read more >>

Judicial Independence

Report Shows Spread of Special Interest Pressure, Growing Clout of Business Groups in State Supreme Court Elections
May, 2007
Michigan news release

read more >>

Campaign Finance Reform

Brennan Center for Justice Campaign Finance Reports
March, 2007
Michigan report

read more >>

Election Law & Voting Rights

From Registration to Recounts: The Election Ecosystems of Five Midwestern States
December, 2007
Michigan summary, response

Michigan summary >>

Michigan response >>

Research

Despite distrust of state government, Midwesterners still believe political reforms possible, worth pursuing
August, 2006
Michigan report

read more >>

Research

Democratic Renewal: A Call to Action from America's Heartland
January, 2008

Michigan News Release >>

Michigan Summary >>

+ see all state content

Minnesota

Media Reform

Midwest News Index
October, 2006
Minnesota snapshot

Midwest Local TV Newscasts Average 36 Seconds of Election Coverage in Typical 30-Minute Broadcast

read more >>

Media Reform

Midwest News Index
November, 2006
Minnesota snapshot

Midwest Local TV Newscasts Devote 2.5 Times as Much Air Time to Political Ads as Election Coverage, Study Finds

read more >>

Judicial Independence

Report Shows Spread of Special Interest Pressure, Growing Clout of Business Groups in State Supreme Court Elections
May, 2007
Minnesota news release

read more >>

Campaign Finance Reform

Brennan Center for Justice Campaign Finance Reports
March, 2007
Minnesota report

read more >>

Election Law & Voting Rights

From Registration to Recounts: The Election Ecosystems of Five Midwestern States
December, 2007
Minnesota summary, response

Minnesota summary >>

Minnesota response >>

Research

Despite distrust of state government, Midwesterners still believe political reforms possible, worth pursuing
August, 2006
Minnesota report

read more >>

Research

Democratic Renewal: A Call to Action from America's Heartland
January, 2008

Minnesota News Release >>

Minnesota Summary >>

Judicial Independence/Campaign Finance

Poll: Minnesota Voters Alarmed By Prospect of Big Money, Special Interests in Judicial Elections
January 2008

read more >>

+ see all state content

Ohio

Election Law & Voting Rights

Moritz College of Law

Felon disenfranchisement laws strip criminals convicted of certain crimes of their right to vote.

read more >>

Media Reform

Midwest News Index
October, 2006
Ohio snapshot

Midwest Local TV Newscasts Average 36 Seconds of Election Coverage in Typical 30-Minute Broadcast

read more >>

Media Reform

Midwest News Index
November, 2006
Ohio snapshot

Midwest Local TV Newscasts Devote 2.5 Times as Much Air Time to Political Ads as Election Coverage, Study Finds

read more >>

Judicial Independence

Report Shows Spread of Special Interest Pressure, Growing Clout of Business Groups in State Supreme Court Elections
May, 2007
Ohio news release

read more >>

Campaign Finance Reform

Brennan Center for Justice Campaign Finance Reports
March, 2007
Ohio report

read more >>

Election Law & Voting Rights

From Registration to Recounts: The Election Ecosystems of Five Midwestern States
December, 2007
Ohio summary, response

Ohio summary >>

Ohio response >>

Research

Despite distrust of state government, Midwesterners still believe political reforms possible, worth pursuing
August, 2006
Ohio report

read more >>

Research

Democratic Renewal: A Call to Action from America's Heartland
January, 2008

Ohio News Release >>

Ohio Summary >>

+ see all state content

Wisconsin

Campaign Finance Reform

State Donors Pitch "527" Groups Record Cash

Democratic groups getting most of the Wisconsin contributions...

read more...

Election Law & Voting Rights

League of Women Voters of Wisconsin Education Fund

Response to Supreme Court Decision on Voter ID...

read more >>

Research

WDC Ranks Legislators on Political Reform

read more >>

Campaign Finance Reform

Statehouse Crock

Wisconsin Democracy Campaign presents...

Judicial Independence/Campaign Finance

Fair Courts: Setting Recusal Standards

The paper describes the increasing threats to the impartiality of America's state courts and argues that they have been spurred by two trends: the growing influence of money in judicial elections and the dismantling of codes of judicial ethics that once helped to preserve the distinctive character of the judiciary, even during the course of campaigns for the bench.

read more >>

Judicial Independence

Elections for Judges Are Getting Nastier

The Wisconsin Supreme Court race is just one example of what's ahead.

read more >>

Judicial Independence/Campaign Finance

National Groups to Speak In Favor of Supreme Court Public Financing for Wisconsin

Groups cite polling of business leaders, voters in push for reform.

read more >>

National Watchdog Applauds Wisconsin Senate for Action on Supreme Court Campaign Finance Reform

read more >>

Research

OBAMA DOMINATED TELEVISION ADVERTISING IN WISCONSIN

Outspent Clinton by almost Five-to-One, study finds; and outspent all candidates by over Two-to-One

Half of Clinton's ads had negative content, with first significant ad tussle taking place in Badger state

read more >>

Media Reform

Midwest News Index
October, 2006
Wisconsin snapshot

Midwest Local TV Newscasts Average 36 Seconds of Election Coverage in Typical 30-Minute Broadcast

read more >>

Media Reform

Midwest News Index
November, 2006
Wisconsin snapshot

Midwest Local TV Newscasts Devote 2.5 Times as Much Air Time to Political Ads as Election Coverage, Study Finds

read more >>

Judicial Independence

Report Shows Spread of Special Interest Pressure, Growing Clout of Business Groups in State Supreme Court Elections
May, 2007
Wisconsin news release

read more >>

Campaign Finance Reform

Brennan Center for Justice Campaign Finance Reports
March, 2007
Wisconsin report

read more >>

Election Law & Voting Rights

From Registration to Recounts: The Election Ecosystems of Five Midwestern States
December, 2007
Wisconsin summary, response

Wisconsin summary >>

Wisconsin response >>

Research

Despite distrust of state government, Midwesterners still believe political reforms possible, worth pursuing
August, 2006
Wisconsin report

read more >>

Research

Democratic Renewal: A Call to Action from America's Heartland
January, 2008

Wisconsin News Release >>

Wisconsin Summary >>



Hot Topics


  • New Guide Brings Redistricting Out
    into the Open

    The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, George Mason University, and the Joyce Foundation are pleased to announce the release of A Citizen's Guide to Redistricting, authored by Brennan Center counsel Justin Levitt.

    read more >>

  • New poll gauges Midwest's attitudes on political reform

    Midwesterners issue call to action on reform and voice support for candidates who offer changes in political system...

    read more >>


    Executive Director Job Opening

    The MDN executive director will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Midwest Democracy Network. Specific duties will include...

    read more >>

Want to learn more?

Register for this website and receive news updates.















Partners' Feeds



  • Michigan Campaign Finance Network:

    New guide explores redistricting...

    read more >>

  • Wisconsin Advertising Project:

    General Election TV Advertising Spending Exceeds $50 Million...

    read more >>

  • Wisconsin Democracy Campaign

    Nasty Supreme Court Race Cost Record $6 Million...

    read more >>