About Us
If government OF the people is to be government FOR the people, we must have GOVERNMENT BY THE PEOPLE!
Government by the People is a political action committee serving as a source of information and an organizing hub for concerned citizens who want to work together across party lines to use the initiative process – a powerful form of direct democracy – to reform our political system and pass needed legislation.
At the federal level, and in many states, reforming our government is difficult because the reforms have to be promoted and passed by politicians who have won election to office through the current system.
In 24 states we have a second option for reform and legislation at the state level through the initiative process: a powerful form of direct democracy that allows citizens to propose and pass legislation and/or amendments to state constitutions without the involvement or approval of a state legislature or governor.
The states with some form of initiative are: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
The process is easier in some states than others. Some states have fewer restrictions on what can be done through the initiative.
Genuine Democracy
There are three reforms that are critical to making our political system more genuinely democratic: proportional representation (in Congress and state legislatures), ranked-choice voting (for executive offices), and a public financing option for candidates (and voters).
We have chosen to focus on proportional representation because it has the greatest impact and, by leading to the election of state legislatures that genuinely represent the will of the people, makes all other reforms and other critical legislation much easier to pass.
If you are not familiar with proportional representation, you are not alone. Although it is the most common form of government in democracies around the world, it is not a form of government that has been utilized in the United States. You can learn all about it on this website.
We will be working together on coordinated campaigns with groups that are doing petition drives for ranked-choice voting, public financing of elections and other legislation favored by a majority of voters.
In any state where the required number of people are willing to work gathering signatures on petitions to put reform proposals on the ballot, we can enact the needed reforms. We can establish a government of, by, and for the people. And we can’t be stopped by the defenders of the corrupt, dysfunctional system that is currently in place.
Call to Action
In the tabs under the “State by State” page, you will links that will provide information regarding the support or lack of support for the legislation called for in our “People’s Platform on the part of members of Congress. For the states with ballot proposals we have endorsed you will find information related to the campaign to get those proposals on the ballot and passed.
If you would like to make a financial contribution, click on “Contribute Today.”
We also encourage you to provide your contact information so we can add you to our Email list.
(Privacy notice: Your contact information will not be shared with, or sold to, any other organizations or individuals. You will not be bombarded with endless requests for financial contributions. We will communicate with you regarding important votes and other actions in Congress; political events being held in your area; and where our petitions can be signed (if you live in a state with an active initiative campaign).