In the Loop

NOVEMBER AT-A-GLANCE

If you’re feeling exhausted after an election season filled with endless ads, texts, and misinformation online, you’re not alone. The deep divisions in our communities are stark reminders of the challenges facing our democracy.

While the election is behind us, the fight to defend democracy is far from over. This isn’t a partisan issue—it’s a patriotic one.

Thank you for standing with us this season.

NICK PENNIMAN, CEO & Founder, Issue One

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ELECTION PROTECTION

Read our analysis in “The Democracy Multiverse,” where we explore how tailored media ecosystems, dark money, and misinformation created divergent realities for voters. From record-breaking $20 billion election spending to foreign interference and widespread disinformation, we break down the challenges facing our democracy and the steps needed to rebuild trust and shared experiences.

In the lead-up to the election, Issue One worked tirelessly to safeguard the electoral process and build voter trust:

Coordinated with 85+ bipartisan organizations to organize clear, consistent messaging.
Amplified Issue One-organized resources like HowElectionsWork.org, our Election Integrity Toolkit, and the VoteWise chatbot, empowering voters with tools to navigate the election with accurate information.
Reached over 10 million people in key states and counties with ads designed to bolster trust in the elections, through targeted influencer and digital ad campaigns. Check out one of our favorite ads here.
Together with our partner More Perfect, united over 100 bipartisan leaders to issue a joint statement affirming trust in America’s elections and the peaceful transfer of power. This historic statement was featured in Politico.

A half blue and half red circle with the capital building in the center with "Democracy Fix" over top it

In the latest episode of our “Democracy Fix” podcast, Issue One’s Mia Minkin, Angelina Clapp, and Dr. Carah Ong Whaley sit down with former Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman—a member of Issue One’s National Council on Election Integrity—to unpack the complexities of election administration in the modern era and reflect on how elections were safe and secure in 2024, in spite of a wide range of challenges.

Learn more about our Election Protection efforts

HOLDING BIG TECH ACCOUNTABLE

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Issue One’s Tech Reform team recently added over 30 new entries to our “Big Tech’s Broken Promises” tracker—a database that catalogs the empty proclamations and covert policy shifts of the world’s largest tech companies.

Before the election, platforms like Facebook autogenerated pages for extremist militias and enabled foreign adversaries to spread election disinformation. In response, Issue One issued a statement and continues to advocate for action.

We co-hosted a virtual event with Democracy Journal discussing the future of technology reform, featuring members of our staff who were authors for the journal’s fall symposium, “Bipartisanship Reinvigorated.” Catch up by watching the event recording.

Learn more about Issue One’s Tech Reform efforts

MONEY IN POLITICS

A new tax filing obtained by Issue One revealed the scale of how the drug industry uses dark money to shape elections and policy. Since 2010, PhRMA, the trade group for major drug companies, has contributed $38 million to the American Action Network, a politically active nonprofit aligned with House Republican leadership. Read our release that dives into the filing’s details.

A graph illustrating phRMA's contributions to the American Action Network dark money group

Learn more about Issue One’s Money in Politics efforts

Fund Democracy

Stand with us

The work to protect our republic continues, and we need your support to ensure a brighter future for American democracy.

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BEFORE YOU GO

A half blue and half red circle with a compass in the middle and "The Reform Compass" under the image

Did you know you can read regular commentary and analysis from Issue One staff whenever you want?

The Reform Compass delivers commentary from the Issue One team on major issues impacting American democracy—from strengthening our nation’s critical election infrastructure to reining in Big Tech. Never miss an update, click the button below to catch the latest.

New on The Reform Compass

Putting Profits Over People: Communications Associate Georgia Lyon highlights how Big Tech’s $90 million lobbying blitz is blocking the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act, prioritizing profits over the safety of children harmed by their addictive and dangerous products.
Big Tech’s Backtrack: Tech Reform team members Isabel Sunderland and Jamie Neikrie reveal how systemic failures by platforms like Meta, X, YouTube, and TikTok fueled election disinformation in 2024, breaking promises to protect democracy and exposing voters to manipulation and harm.
Thank an Election Hero: Nicole Lagace, Issue One’s vice president of Communications, highlights the critical work of election workers who safeguard our democracy through tireless dedication and professionalism.
What’s Next for Technology Reform?: Georgia Lyon and Megan O’Halloran recap a recent event we held with the Democracy Journal and outline what’s next for the technology reform space.
Elections Resilience and Resolve: Dr. Carah Ong Whaley dives deeper into the newest episode of our Democracy Fix podcast, which was a conversation with former Washington Sec. of State Kim Wyman.

Visit The Reform Compass

With gratitude and warm holiday wishes,

The Issue One Team

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