We are an alliance of political reformers and policy researchers committed to improving democratic institutions in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. We advocate for a political system that will create a healthy economy, good jobs, access to health care and quality schools.
Honesty is the most important value Midwesterners want in their state government, followed by accountability and responsiveness. 69% say they trust government to do what is right “only some of the time” or “almost never.”
Go to the Midwestern Attitudes Poll »
80% of Midwesterners believe that a comprehensive platform of reforms would make a difference in helping state government work better. A majority believe it is “worth getting money out of politics” and reject the idea that corruption will always be present in state government.
Go to the Midwestern Attitudes Poll »
Midwesterners rate the concern of the “influence of money in state politics” on a par with concerns about health care, public education and state taxes. 60% say they are more inclined to support candidates who recognize that support for political reform is key to making progress on “bread and butter” issues.
Go to the Midwestern Attitudes Poll »
77% of Midwesterners express high interest in an organization that focuses on getting their state government to work better.
CHICAGO — Three of the five Midwest Democracy Network states flunk a 50-state ranking of personal financial disclosure laws for state legislators. Illinois and Minnesota receive failing grades, while Michigan ties for last place because the state lacks a legislative…
After four years of legal wrangling, the League of Women Voters of Ohio and the state of Ohio reached a settlement in a case stemming from the 2004 presidential election.According to the LWVO press release distributed June 18th,…
iSolon.org, a policy research organization examining democracy for the information age, recently published a working paper evaluating British Columbia’s experiment with an independent commission charged with reforming its electoral system, including changing political district boundaries.But instead of using…
Citizens for Election Integrity released a report on the 2008 post-election audit and recount.The report, “Eyes on the Vote Count,” describes the manual counting process in the 2008 Minnesota post-election audit and US Senate recount based on the…
Public Financing for Federal Campaigns - 2009
Midwest reform groups urge President Obama to support federal public financing legislation
More »
Midwest Open Government Project - 2009
New study finds five Midwestern states have dim sunshine laws Clouded…
More »
A Citizen’s Guide to Redistricting - 2008
New guide brings redistricting out into the open
More »
Midwestern Attitudes Poll - 2008
New poll gauges Midwest’s attitudes on political reform Midwesterners…
More »
Stimulus eases community college troubles
Weekly wrap: Report questions states' use of stimulus road funds
Financial crisis torments states
Brennan Center Democracy Program
Citizen Advocacy Center Government Monitoring
George Mason University United States Elections Project