WHAT TO DO: 10 MINUTE TASKS
Right now, there are 3 things we can do:
Supporting the upcoming Bill
The measure which is currently in our State Legislature is Assembly Bill 1984 (i.e. AB 1984).
Although it will not pass this year, it will be reintroduced next year (with a different number).
A way we can already help the upcoming Bill gather support is to ask our legislators in the Assembly and the Senate to co-author AB 1984, if they have not yet done so.
What To Do
Step 1: check whether your current legislators are already known supporters of AB 1984, i.e. are among its 'co-authors'.
Check for both your state assembly member and your state senator.
How to check
Find out here who your state legislators are. This should also give you links to their personal websites.
Step 2: contact your state assembly member and state senator.
- If they are already a co-author of the bill, thank them for it.
- If not, ask them to become a co-author.
How to contact them
The simplest way to contact them is to use one of their online contact forms:
- either on the CA State official websites:
- or from their personal website, which you should be able to find from here.
Your message does not need to be long: what legislators really want to know is what you want them to support.
Here are a few examples of messages for inspiration — and if you want to see the text of Bill AB 1984, you can find it here.
Sample messages
Dear Assemblymember [Last Name] / Senator [Last Name],
As a resident of your district, I am writing to ask you to co-author AB 1984. This bill ensures that corporations formed or operating under California law do not receive the power to spend money in our elections. I urge you to support it, and I thank you for your service.
I am one of your constituents, and I care deeply about keeping our democracy accountable to ordinary people. AB 1984 does more than state a position: it changes the Corporations Code so that political spending is not among the powers the state grants. Please stand with the voters you represent and support this bill by becoming one of its co-authors.
Writing to you as someone who lives and votes in your district: please become a co-author of AB 1984. Corporate money should not carry more weight in our elections than the people. I thank you for your leadership in protecting our elections.
As a voter you represent, I believe AB 1984 recognizes a simple truth: election spending should not be among the powers that our state grants corporations. I respectfully urge you to become a co-author of this bill and thank you for defending fair elections.
I am one of the many people in your own district who want big money out of politics. AB 1984 is a concrete way toward this. Please support it on behalf of the constituents you serve by becoming one of its co-authors.
California Senate Joint Resolution 18 (SJR 18)
Right now, there is an important Joint Resolution in the California Assembly which is of direct relevance for resetting corporate powers in California. It is called SJR 18 (i.e. Senate Joint Resolution 18, 'Senate' because this is where it originated, that is was first introduced, and 'Joint' because it needs to be passed by both chambers, the Senate and the Assembly).
A joint resolution is a measure used by our state legislators to formally express an opinion and/or make a formal request to other governmental organizations or officials.
SJR 18 would officially express the California "Legislature's strong disagreement with the decision of the United States Supreme Court in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission and [would] encourage states to adopt policies to limit the powers of corporations to contribute to political campaigns, consistent with the United States Constitution.”
Although a resolution does not have the force of law, supporting SJR 18 would help a law pass: it is a great opportunity to gather support for the policy before a bill, which would have the force of law, gets proposed next legislative cycle — i.e. next year. Indeed, this is precisely why SJR 18 was introduced.
It was adopted by the Senate on June 11th this year, and is now in the California State Assembly.
What To Do
Step 1: check whether your current assembly member is already a known supporter, i.e. a 'co-author', of SJR 18.
How to check
Current author and co-authors of SJR 18:
Find out here who your assembly member is. This should also give you the link to their personal website.
Step 2: contact your state assembly member.
- If they are already a co-author of the resolution, thank them for it.
- If not, ask them to support it.
How to contact them
Here are a few examples of messages for inspiration — and if you want to see the text of the resolution itself, you can find it here.
Sample messages
Dear Assemblymember [Last Name],
As a resident of your district, I am writing to ask you to support SJR 18. This resolution puts the Legislature on record against the Citizens United decision and encourages states to limit corporate spending in our elections. A government that answers to people rather than deep pockets depends on reforms like this. I urge you to vote yes, and I thank you for your service.
I am one of your constituents, and I care deeply about keeping our democracy accountable to ordinary people. SJR 18 sends a clear message that California rejects the flood of corporate and dark money unleashed by Citizens United. Please stand with the voters you represent and support this resolution.
Writing to you as someone who lives and votes in your district: please vote yes on SJR 18. Corporate dark money should not drown out the voices of real Californians, and this resolution affirms that our state wants reform. Thank you for your leadership in protecting our elections.
As a voter you represent, I believe SJR 18 recognizes a simple truth: unlimited corporate spending in elections threatens the integrity of our democracy. By supporting it, you help affirm that corporations are not people and that our elections belong to the public. I respectfully urge your yes vote and thank you for defending fair elections.
I am one of the many people in your own district who want big money out of politics. SJR 18 is a meaningful step: it tells Congress and other states that California stands for transparency and accountability in campaign finance. Please support it on behalf of the constituents you serve.
Spread the word
Tell your friends and family in California about the effort to put an end to corporate and dark money political spending, and share this page with them.