EVERY VOICE
Background And History
EVERY VOICE WAS CREATED IN 2014 UPON THE MERGER OF THE PUBLIC CAMPAIGN ACTION
FUND, A 501(C)(4) GROUP, AND ITS AFFILIATED SUPER PAC, FRIENDS OF DEMOCRACY
Every Voice Was Created In 2014 Upon The Merger Of The Public Campaign Action Fund, A 501(c)(4)
Organization, And Its Affiliated Super PAC, Friends Of Democracy. “Campaign finance reformers are taking their
policy efforts to the hustings, raising millions of dollars in an unprecedented push to support candidates in the November
elections. Among these groups, the pioneer of this electoral strategy is adjusting its tactics to advance campaign finance
reform across the country. For the past decade, the Public Campaign Action Fund, headed by executive director David
Donnelly, has pushed both to elect campaign finance reform supporters and to pass federal and state legislation
authorizing public financing of electoral efforts. Now, with a broader mission and new funds, the group is merging with its
affiliated super PAC, Friends of Democracy, and changing its name to Every Voice.” [Huffington Post, 8/1/14]
FRIENDS OF DEMOCRACY PAC WAS CREATED TO ELIMINATE THE INFLUENCE OF MONEY IN
POLITICS AND WAS PREVIOUSLY FUNDED ALMOST ENTIRELY BY JONATHAN SOROS, SON OF
GEORGE SOROS
Friends Of Democracy PAC Was Formed In 2012 To Advocate Against The Influence Of Money In
Politics. “Friends of Democracy was formed in 2012 as the only group with an electoral strategy dedicated to
demonstrating that there is a political cost to opposing sensible reforms supported by a non-partisan majority of
Americans. Seven of the eight incumbent House members targeted for defeat by Friends of Democracy in 2012 lost their
elections. In 2014, we helped to launch Every Voice Action, a super PAC with the same mission, and continued our work
with New York Friends of Democracy. These collaborative efforts helped to elect four candidates in 2014. With this
success, others have followed and now there are a handful of partners pursuing similar strategies. Our activities include:
Injecting the issue of money-in-politics into competitive races in order to highlight differences between candidates;
Supporting champions by enhancing their ability to speak effectively about reform; Communicating directly with voters
who are most likely to respond to money-in-politics messages.” [Friends of Democracy PAC, accessed 5/10/16]
Friends Of Democracy PAC Was Funded Almost Entirely By Jonathan Soros. “Much of the spending in support of
candidates, however, will come from Every Voice Action, a super PAC that is required to disclose its contributors. Every
Voice will also operate Friends of Democracy as a multi-candidate PAC, which can distribute funds directly to candidates
at a $5,000-per-election maximum. Friends of Democracy was previously funded almost entirely by investor Jonathan
Soros, but according to Donnelly, Soros has decided to disengage from the organization and will not be the primary
funder of these efforts.” [Huffington Post, 8/1/14]
In 2014, Friends Of Democracy PAC Received Donations From George Soros, Napster Founder Sean Parker,
Google Engineer Matt Cutts, Kathleen McGrath, And John Pritzker. “Another group, ‘Friends of Democracy IE,’ was
even more generous. It gave $1.15 million to Every Voice. Donnelly is the treasurer of Friends of Democracy, another
Super PAC founded 'to end Super PACs.' Hopping over to Friends of Democracy's FEC page, we can see it's been
primarily funded by a famous name: Soros. In particular, it's been given most of its money by Jonathan Soros, son of the
famous financier (and liberal donor) George Soros. This election cycle, Jonathan Soros gave Friends of Democracy $1.5
million. George Soros gave it another $250,000; other George Soros children Andrea Soros and Alex Soros gave
$250,000 and $375,000. It also got a lot of money from Napster founder and Facebook investor Sean Parker
($245,000), Google engineer Matt Cutts ($285,000), Kathleen McGrath of Encino, Calif. ($100,000), and John Pritzker of
the Pritzker family.” [Argus Leader, 10/16/14]
EVERY VOICE IS A 501(C)(4) NONPROFIT POLITICAL ADVOCACY GROUP SPECIALIZING IN
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM VIA PUBLIC FINANCING OF POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS
Every Voice Is A Nonprofit Political Advocacy Group Specializing In Campaign Finance Reform Via Public
Financing Of Political Campaigns. “Campaign finance reformers are taking their policy efforts to the hustings, raising
millions of dollars in an unprecedented push to support candidates in the November elections. Among these groups, the
pioneer of this electoral strategy is adjusting its tactics to advance campaign finance reform across the country. For the
past decade, the Public Campaign Action Fund, headed by executive director David Donnelly, has pushed both to elect
campaign finance reform supporters and to pass federal and state legislation authorizing public financing of electoral
efforts. Now, with a broader mission and new funds, the group is merging with its affiliated super PAC, Friends of
Democracy, and changing its name to Every Voice…Every Voice is organized as a 501(c)(4) social welfare nonprofit,
allowed to spend some of its funds on electoral activities.” [Huffington Post, 8/1/14]
Every Voice’s Stated Mission Is To “Promote Social Welfare By Educating The General Public And Policy Makers
Regarding The Consequences Of The Current System Of Campaign Finance And The Merits Of Comprehensive
Reform And Lobbying Elected Officials In Support Of Appropriate Reform.”
[Pubic Disclosure Copy of Form 990, 2014]
Every Voice Promotes “Non-Partisan Reform In The Funding Process For Political Elections.”
[Pubic Disclosure Copy of Form 990, 2014]
David Donnelly Is The President And CEO Of Every Voice. “David, a 20-year veteran of money in politics organizing
and advocacy, has managed or consulted on six winning campaigns for state policy, and pioneered electoral and issue
accountability campaigns on the issue. He is a regularly sought strategist for organizations, foundations, and elected
officials seeking reform.” [Every Voice, accessed 5/10/16]
AS A 501(C)(4), EVERY VOICE DOES NOT HAVE TO DISCLOSE ITS DONORS, HOWEVER, THEY HAVE
RELEASED A LIST OF DONORS WHO HAVE DONATED $5,000 OR MORE
Every Voice Has Released A List Of Donors That Have Donated $5,000 Or More:
[Every Voice, accessed 5/10/16]
EVERY VOICE HAS AN AFFILIATED SUPER PAC CALLED EVERY VOICE ACTION
Every Voice Has An Affiliated Super PAC Called Every Voice Action. [FEC, Every Voice Action, accessed 5/10/16]
Every Voice Action Mostly Spends Money To Oppose Republican Politicians On Ballots Across The Country That
Are Against Campaign Finance Reform And It Spent A Total Of $306,575 Against Mitch McConnell In The 2014
Election Cycle.
[Influence Explorer, 5/11/16]
In The 2014 Election Cycle, Every Voice Action Received Donations From:
[Argus Leader, 10/16/14]
David Donnelly, President and CEO Of Every Voice, Said “We Fully Embrace The Irony Of Working Through A
Super PAC To Fight The Influence Of Super PACs.” “Every Voice Action is an unusual group -- a big-money Super
PAC whose mission statement is to oppose ‘big money’ in politics. ‘We have a long record of working for campaign
finance reform. We believe that elections ought to belong to regular people, not big money donors,’ said Donnelly. ‘We
fully embrace the irony of working through a Super PAC to fight the influence of Super PACs.’” [Argus Leader, 9/19/14]
Ballot Initiatives And Supported Legislation
IN 2016, EVERY VOICE IS SUPPORTING AN ARIZONA BALLOT INITIATIVE INTENDED TO INCREASE THE
DISCLOSURE OF DARK MONEY IN POLITICS AND REDUCE THE INFLUENCE OF LOBBYISTS AND WEALTHY
SPECIAL INTERESTS IN ELECTIONS
The Clean And Accountable Elections Act Is A 2016 Ballot Initiative In Arizona That Is Intended To Increase The
Disclosure Of Dark Money In Politics And Reduce The Influence Of Lobbyists And Wealthy Special Interests.
“Requires lobbyists to disclose all meals purchased for elected officials and bans lobbyist funded travel or speaking
engagements; improves Clean Elections funding for candidates, reforming initial funding and providing matching
contributions from small donors; reduces contribution limits for nonparticipating candidates to $1000 for legislative and
local candidates and $2500 for statewide candidates; requires corporations that spend more than $10,000 in elections to
disclose high dollar donors; bans government contractors from contributing to candidates while negotiating or working
under government contracts; prevents former government officials from representing clients before agencies and officials
for two years after leaving their government positions.” [Application For Initiative Or Referendum Petition Serial Number,
Arizona Secretary of State, 4/12/16]
Arizonans For Clean & Accountable Elections Filed The Ballot Initiative In April 2016. [Arizona Secretary of State,
2016 Initiatives, Referendums & Recalls, 4/26/16]

Samantha Pstross Is The Chair Of Arizonans For Clean & Accountable Elections. “Arizonans want a political
system that’s open, transparent, and representative of everyday people. Samantha Pstross, the executive director of
Arizona Advocacy Network, is the chair of Arizonans for Clean and Accountable Elections, the committee behind the
initiative. People and organizations around the state are coming together to support this initiative and more
information on our supporters and endorsers will be announced in the coming weeks.” [Arizonans For Clean &
Accountable Elections, accessed 5/11/16]
In Order To Get The Ballot Initiative On The November 2016 Ballot, The Campaigns Supporting The Initiative Must
Collect At Least 150,642 Valid Signatures By July 7. “Likely the biggest problem that the campaign will face is the
monumental task of collecting enough signatures to refer it to the ballot in less than three months. In order to get the
initiative on the November ballot, the campaign must collect at least 150,642 valid signatures by July 7, a task that will
require significant financial resources. In order to account for invalidated signatures, the campaign will need to collect
substantially more than the minimum, and likely as many as 250,000 signatures.” [Arizona Capitol Times, 4/12/16]
The Ballot Initiative Would Allow Political Candidates To Collect Contributions Of Up To $160 From Individual
Donors And The Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission Would Then Provide A Six-To-One Match. “The
initiative would allow candidates to collect contributions of up to $160 from individual donors. The Citizens Clean Elections
Commission would then provide a six-to-one match, giving publicly funded candidates a potentially huge infusion of cash.
That means that for a single $160 contribution, a candidate would receive an additional $960 in Clean Elections funding.”
[Arizona Capitol Times, 4/12/16]

The Proposed Matching Funds System Would Not Be Available To Candidates For Statewide Office. “The
proposed matching funds system would not be available to candidates for statewide office, which Barton said was a
decision based on funding. As things stand, the campaign said the new program could cost as much as $5 million,
which it said would be funded by a voluntary $10 contribution that Arizonans could opt into when they file their taxes.”
[Arizona Capitol Times, 4/12/16]
For Candidates Electing To Run Traditional Campaigns, The Ballot Initiative Would Reduce Campaign
Contribution Limits From $5,000 To $1,000 For Legislative Candidate And $2,500 For Statewide Candidates.
“While it makes Clean Elections funding more appealing, the initiative would reduce the money available to those running
traditionally, with private funding. The initiative would reduce campaign contribution limits, currently set at $5,000, to
$1,000 for legislative candidates and $2,500 for statewide candidates.” [Arizona Capitol Times, 4/12/16]
The Initiative Would Strengthen Arizona’s Clean Elections System By Granting The Clean Elections Commission
The Express Authority To Enforce All Campaign Finance Laws In Arizona, Not Just Those Related To Clean
Elections. “The initiative would strengthen Clean Elections in another way by granting the Clean Elections Commission
the express authority to enforce all campaign finance laws in Arizona, not just those pertaining to Clean Elections, giving it
concurrent jurisdiction with the Secretary of State’s Office. The Clean Elections Commission has long argued that statute
already grants it that authority. Secretary of State Michele Reagan vehemently disagrees, and has made several attempts
to curb the authority claimed by the commission.” [Arizona Capitol Times, 4/12/16]
The Initiative Seeks To Limit The Influence Of Dark Money By Requiring Full Disclosure Of Donors Giving At
Least $1,000 To Any Group That Spends More Than $10,000 On Independent Expenditure Campaigns During A
Calendar Year. “The initiative would take steps to tackle the dark money that has flooded into Arizona elections over the
past several years. Any group that spends more than $10,000 on independent expenditure campaigns during a calendar
year would be required to disclose the source of any contribution of at least $1,000 during that year.” [Arizona Capitol
Times, 4/12/16]
The Initiative Would Increase The Ability Of Arizona To Regulate The Disclosure Requirements For Dark Money
Coming From 501(c)(4) Organizations. “Furthermore, the initiative would scrap a recently passed law that critics say will
allow more dark money into Arizona elections and make it harder to crack down on anonymously funded groups that
break the rules. SB1516 states that any group whose primary purpose is to influence elections in Arizona is a political
committee subject to disclosure requirements. But the law exempts any organization that has federal nonprofit status from
the IRS, hindering the state’s ability to regulate the 501(c)(4) organizations that are the most popular method of
anonymous campaign spending.” [Arizona Capitol Times, 4/12/16]
The Initiative Would Require Elected Officials To Disclose Anything They Receive As Gifts From Lobbyists,
Including Travel, Lodging And Event Tickets, And Slow The Revolving Door By Doubling The Cooling Off Period
For Elected Officials Who Wish To Become Lobbyists. “Extend the "revolving-door" ban to two years from one for
lawmakers who seek to return to the Capitol as lobbyists. Require elected officials to disclose everything they receive as
gifts, including travel, lodging and event tickets. This would close a loophole that was exposed during the Fiesta Bowl
scandal several years ago, when lawmakers were taking trips to various cities courtesy of the bowl.” [Arizona Republic,
4/12/16]
EVERY VOICE HAS ADVOCATED FOR THE GOVERNMENT BY THE PEOPLE ACT, SPONSORED BY REP. JOHN
SARBANES (D-MD), WHICH WOULD OFFER TAX CREDITS TO PEOPLE WHO MAKE SMALL DONATIONS TO
POLITICAL CANDIDATES
Every Voice Has Advocated For The Government By The People Act, Sponsored By Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD),
Which Would Offer Tax Credits To People Who Make Small Donations To Political Candidates And Match
Contributions Up To $150 On A Six-To-One Basis. “There is no one silver bullet policy to solve everything. Certainly
we need increased transparency on where the money is coming from for political ads and we need a nonpartisan election
watchdog agency with teeth. We will need to change the courts or change the Constitution — through an amendment —
to address wrong-headed court decisions. These are all important steps to address a political system that far too often
works for the well-connected. We believe, though, the most important solutions that would do the most good are those
that give everyday Americans a much bigger say in elections. To do that, we must change the way our elections are
financed through legislation like Congressman John Sarbanes Government By the People Act (HR 20). Instead of relying
on Wall Street executives and lobbyists for campaign contributions, participating candidates could rely on their
constituents back home. Here’s how it works: People would be encouraged to give small contributions through two parts
of the proposal: first, contributions of $1 to $150 would be matched on a six-to-one basis by a newly created ‘Freedom
from Influence Fund.’ Large contributions would not qualify. The first $25 people contribute would qualify for a ‘My Voice’
refundable tax credit. Each candidate’s money from the new fund, which would be financed by closing corporate tax
loopholes, would be capped, and there would be strict enforcement of campaign finance laws, including disclosure of all
donations.” [Every Voice, accessed 5/11/16]
IN 2015, EVERY VOICE DONATED $66,980 TO A SUCCESSFUL SEATTLE BALLOT INITIATIVE THAT PUBLICLY
FINANCED CITY ELECTIONS AND INCREASED TRANSPARENCY IN CAMPAIGN FINANCE
In 2015, Every Voice Donated $66,980 To The Honest Elections Seattle Ballot Initiative That Would Create A
System Of “Democracy Vouchers” In The City. “The Honest Elections Seattle ballot initiative, which is up for a citywide
vote on Nov. 3, would create a system of ‘democracy vouchers’ in the city. Under the program, every registered voter in
the city would receive four $25 coupons to be used only as campaign donations to candidates for city election. The
initiative would also lower campaign contribution limits, increase ethics enforcement, ban lobbyist and city contractor
contributions, increase transparency and tighten other campaign finance and lobbying rules while upping legal penalties
for breaking them… Every Voice is the second largest donor to the ballot initiative campaign giving $66,980. “ [Huffington
Post, 10/1/15]

Under The Democracy Vouchers System, “Every Registered Voter Would Receive Four $35 Coupons To Be
Used Only As Campaign Donations To Candidates For City Election.” “The Honest Elections Seattle ballot
initiative, which is up for a citywide vote on Nov. 3, would create a system of ‘democracy vouchers’ in the city. Under
the program, every registered voter in the city would receive four $25 coupons to be used only as campaign donations
to candidates for city election… Here’s how the system would work in Seattle, if voters decide to adopt it. Candidate
participation is voluntary, as mandated by the Supreme Court for all public financing programs. Candidates would first
need to reach a minimum number of donations under $100 (which varies by office sought) to qualify for the program.
To be able to receive ‘democracy vouchers,’ participating candidates would have to agree to strict spending caps, a
lower limit on private campaign contributions, a ban on fundraising for any independent group that would spend
money on elections and to take part in at least three public debates. The spending cap would vary by election with
mayoral candidates limited to $800,000, at-large City Council candidates to $300,000 and both district City Council
and City Attorney candidates to $150,000. In the event that an independent group like a super PAC came into the
race to help the opponent of a candidate in the program, that candidate would have their spending cap lifted and be
allowed to raise additional private funds.” [Huffington Post, 10/1/15]

The Initiative Would Also “Lower Campaign Contribution Limits, Increase Ethics Enforcement, Ban Lobbyist
And City Contractor Contributions, Increase Transparency And Tighten Other Campaign Finance And
Lobbying Rules While Upping Legal Penalties For Breaking Them.” [Huffington Post, 10/1/15]
IN 2016, EVERY VOICE IS BACKING A WASHINGTON BALLOT INITIATIVE THAT WOULD EXPAND THE 2015
SEATTLE “DEMOCRACY VOUCHER” INITIATIVE STATEWIDE
In 2016, Every Voice Is Supporting A Washington Ballot Initiative That Would Bolster Campaign Finance Laws
And Give Voters Up To $150 Worth Of “Democracy Credits” To Be Used In State Legislative Races, Every Two
Years. “Seattle voters approved 'democracy vouchers' last November. Can a similar idea go statewide? Signature
gathering has begun for a new initiative that aims to bolster campaign finance laws and give voters up to $150 worth of
‘democracy credits’ to be used in state legislative races, every two years… The initiative proposes repealing the nonresident sales tax exemption to generate $60 million per biennium. The majority would fund the ‘democracy credits;’ $10
million would go to the Public Disclosure Commission to increase enforcement of campaign finance laws… Already, the
initiative has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations, largely from East Coast-based groups, ‘Every Voice’
and ‘Represent Us.’” [King 5, 3/31/16]]
The Initiative Would Also Expand Disclosure Requirements And Tighten Restrictions On Lobbyists. “The measure
also seeks to expand disclosure requirements and tighten restrictions on lobbyists, including their ability to contribute to
campaigns. It would also force a three-year ‘cooling off period’ before an elected official could become a paid lobbyist.”
[King 5, 3/31/16]
IN 2015, EVERY VOICE SUPPORTED A SUCCESSFUL MAINE CLEAN ELECTIONS BALLOT INITATIVE THAT
INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE MAINE CLEAN ELECTIONS FUND AND INCREASED PENALTIES FOR
VIOLATING DISCLOSURE RULES
In 2015, Every Voice Supported A Successful Maine Clean Elections Ballot Initiative That Increased Funding For
The Maine Clean Elections Fund And Increased Penalties For Violating Disclosure Rules. “In the event that an
independent group like a super PAC came into the race to help the opponent of a candidate in the program, that
candidate would have their spending cap lifted and be allowed to raise additional private funds…’ Maine voters went to
the polls and sent a clear message that the time has come for bold solutions to raise the voices of everyday people in
politics,’ David Donnelly, president and CEO of Every Voice, said in a statement. ‘With Washington, D.C. mired in gridlock
and a presidential race focused on who can befriend the most billionaires, voters are taking matters into their own hands.
States and cities across the nation will work to replicate this success.’… Candidates participating in the state’s public
financing system will now be able to receive additional public funds when an independent group like a super PAC spends
big in their election. The initiative will also increase transparency of independent spending by requiring groups to disclose
their donors, including their top three donors on all advertising. Penalties for violations will also increase.” [Huffington
Post, 11/3/15]
IN 2014, EVERY VOICE RAN AN AD OPPOSING REPUBLICN REP. MIKE POMPEO AND FACTCHECK.ORG RATED
ONE OF THE AD’S AS “INACCURATE AND MISLEADING”
In 2014, Every Voice Ran An Ad Opposing Republican Rep. Mike Pompeo And Factcheck.org Rated One Of The
Ad’s As “Inaccurate And Misleading.” “Two new ads from a newly renamed liberal group attack Republican Rep. Mike
Pompeo of Kansas with descriptions of favors he supposedly did for campaign donors. One of the ads is inaccurate and
misleading. Both ads, which started running July 29, are sponsored by ‘Every Voice Action’ — a group dedicated to
advocating for public financing of state and federal election campaigns, and formerly known as the Public Campaign
Action Fund.” [Factcheck.org, 8/1/14]