Open Democracy
Mission: To establish political equality for all through an open, accountable, trusted government free from the corruption of big-money politics.
Open Democracy is leading the New Hampshire movement to strengthen democracy and stop the corrupting influence of special interest money in politics. It has educated and engaged thousands of NH citizens through nonpartisan grassroots campaigns, film and theatrical events, a national speaker series, research and publications, and local and state advocacy initiatives. Open Democracy’s flagship campaign, New Hampshire Rebellion (#NHR) was founded in 2013 by activist and Harvard Law School Professor Lawrence Lessig.
Year Founded: 2009 • (603)-715-8197 • info@opendemocracy.me • opendemocracynh.org
Current Democracy Work
Open Democracy works to build a movement in NH to pass reforms at the local, state, and national level. Specific reforms it focuses on include passing the “We the People” reform agenda to restore government “of, by, and for the people,” banning super PACs and bribes from lobbyists and government contractors, overturning Citizens United, establishing small-donor, citizen-funded elections; and closing loopholes in and enforcing campaign finance laws. It also works to expose secret political contribution donors and advocates for laws requiring full transparency of donors. Open Democracy’s campaign, New Hampshire Rebellion (#NHR), complements its reform work. The Rebellion injected new energy into the NH reform movement by conducting an audacious 190-mile “Granny D Walk” across New Hampshire during the height of winter in January 2014 and 2015.
Recent Successes
Open Democracy achieved national prominence in February 2016 with its NH Rebellion (#NHR) walks across New Hampshire and We the People Tent Convention in Manchester. Several thousand activists and volunteers also successfully "bird-dogged" every presidential candidate to secure full or partial commitments to support #NHR's We the People Agenda to #FightBigMoney. Since 2014, over 3,000 #NHR walkers have participated in 30 public walks collectively logging approximately 40,000 miles across the state, drawing international media attention to campaign finance reform. Open Democracy has also partnered with citizens in 70+ NH towns to pass warrant articles calling for an end to corporate and union spending in political campaigns under Citizens United.
Your Entry Points
Volunteer to help plan or participate in a Granny D Walk, canvass to register eligible voters, or attend a free bird-dog training session to learn how to make your candidates answer questions about money in politics. Through its New Hampshire Rebellion (#NHR), get involved with Walk the Talk and use its toolkit to organize walks across the country. Inject the root issue of corruption into the national debate through Stamp money out with a #NHR Stamp Stampede stamp. Join Open Democracy and #NHR and become a Voice for Reform.