American flag closeup view

Democracy only works if we do.

At Issue One, we’re building bipartisan power to strengthen the foundations of American democracy — because fixing our broken political system starts with all of us.

The Challenge

We face rising threats — and a narrowing window for action.

Across the country, democratic institutions are under attack.

From the growing influence of unchecked money in politics to a fractured and divisive information environment, America’s political system is being tested.

Our constitutional checks and balances are being eroded like never before.

The result? Our political system is less accountable — and less representative to we the people.

This is not a partisan crisis. It’s an American one. And the time to act is now.

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Our Roadmap

We are laser focused on long-term, system change for a healthy democracy through five areas of work:

Our Work Our Projects

Constitutional Defense

Working to uphold the rule of law, protect our institutions, and keep power where it belongs — in a government of, by, and for the people.

Free & Fair Elections

Ensuring U.S. elections are free, fair, secure, and accessible, and that most Americans trust this to be true. Learn about the related work of our National Council on Election Integrity and our Faces of Democracy campaign.

Technology Reform

Working towards comprehensive, bipartisan solutions to address the mental, civic, and public health impacts of social media in America. Learn more about the related work of our Council for Responsible Social Media.

Money in Politics

Exposing and fighting the outsized influence of big money in our political system.

Ethics &
Accountability

Preventing undue influence, corruption, and the appearance of corruption by elected officials, lobbyists, and members of the executive branch.

Who We Work With

Issue One is at the forefront of bipartisan reform, working with over 200 former members of Congress and political appointees, technologists, and election officials from across the political spectrum.

ReFormers Caucus Faces of Democracy Council for Responsible Social Media The Council for American Democracy

Amb. Tim Roemer

ReFormers Caucus Co-chair

Linda Douglass

Council for Responsible Social Media Member

Hon. Dick Gephardt

Council for Responsible Social Media Co-chair

Sec. Jocelyn Benson

Faces of Democracy Member

Teresa Kersten

Board Member

Sec. Cisco Aguilar

Faces of Democracy Member

Hon. Carol Moseley-Braun

ReFormers Caucus Member

Sec. Shenna Bellows

Faces of Democracy Member

Sec. Chuck Hagel

ReFormers Caucus Member

Amb. Connie Morella

ReFormers Caucus Co-chair

Sec. Adrian Fontes

Faces of Democracy Member

Hon. Leon Panetta

ReFormers Caucus Member

Sec. Maggie Toulouse Oliver

Faces of Democracy Member

Hon. Charles Boustany

ReFormers Caucus Member

Hon. Barbara Comstock

ReFormers Caucus Member

Former Sec. Natalie Tennant

Faces of Democracy Member

Julie Wise

Faces of Democracy

Amb. Tim Roemer

ReFormers Caucus Co-chair

Linda Douglass

Council for Responsible Social Media Member

Hon. Dick Gephardt

Council for Responsible Social Media Co-chair

Sec. Jocelyn Benson

Faces of Democracy Member

Teresa Kersten

Board Member

Sec. Cisco Aguilar

Faces of Democracy Member

Hon. Carol Moseley-Braun

ReFormers Caucus Member

Sec. Shenna Bellows

Faces of Democracy Member

Sec. Chuck Hagel

ReFormers Caucus Member

Amb. Connie Morella

ReFormers Caucus Co-chair

Sec. Adrian Fontes

Faces of Democracy Member

Hon. Leon Panetta

ReFormers Caucus Member

Sec. Maggie Toulouse Oliver

Faces of Democracy Member

Hon. Charles Boustany

ReFormers Caucus Member

Hon. Barbara Comstock

ReFormers Caucus Member

Former Sec. Natalie Tennant

Faces of Democracy Member

Julie Wise

Faces of Democracy

Amb. Tim Roemer

ReFormers Caucus Co-chair

Linda Douglass

Council for Responsible Social Media Member

Hon. Dick Gephardt

Council for Responsible Social Media Co-chair

Sec. Jocelyn Benson

Faces of Democracy Member

Teresa Kersten

Board Member

Sec. Cisco Aguilar

Faces of Democracy Member

Hon. Carol Moseley-Braun

ReFormers Caucus Member

Sec. Shenna Bellows

Faces of Democracy Member

Sec. Chuck Hagel

ReFormers Caucus Member

Amb. Connie Morella

ReFormers Caucus Co-chair

Sec. Adrian Fontes

Faces of Democracy Member

Hon. Leon Panetta

ReFormers Caucus Member

Sec. Maggie Toulouse Oliver

Faces of Democracy Member

Hon. Charles Boustany

ReFormers Caucus Member

Hon. Barbara Comstock

ReFormers Caucus Member

Former Sec. Natalie Tennant

Faces of Democracy Member

Julie Wise

Faces of Democracy

Amb. Tim Roemer

ReFormers Caucus Co-chair

Linda Douglass

Council for Responsible Social Media Member

Hon. Dick Gephardt

Council for Responsible Social Media Co-chair

Sec. Jocelyn Benson

Faces of Democracy Member

Teresa Kersten

Board Member

Sec. Cisco Aguilar

Faces of Democracy Member

Hon. Carol Moseley-Braun

ReFormers Caucus Member

Sec. Shenna Bellows

Faces of Democracy Member

Sec. Chuck Hagel

ReFormers Caucus Member

Amb. Connie Morella

ReFormers Caucus Co-chair

Sec. Adrian Fontes

Faces of Democracy Member

Hon. Leon Panetta

ReFormers Caucus Member

Sec. Maggie Toulouse Oliver

Faces of Democracy Member

Hon. Charles Boustany

ReFormers Caucus Member

Hon. Barbara Comstock

ReFormers Caucus Member

Former Sec. Natalie Tennant

Faces of Democracy Member

Julie Wise

Faces of Democracy

Recent Work

America Exposed

How the Politicization of Cyber Is Crippling U.S. National Security

New poll finds voters concerned about presidential power and strongly support constitutional checks and balances

The Latest from Issue One

New poll finds voters concerned about presidential power and strongly support constitutional checks and balances

Congressional hearing highlights the need to protect children from the harms of AI companion chatbots

Issue One praises introduction of bipartisan stock trading ban in the House

Issue One responds after House lawmakers propose $15 million in election funding

New poll finds voters concerned about presidential power and strongly support constitutional checks and balances

Congressional hearing highlights the need to protect children from the harms of AI companion chatbots

Issue One praises introduction of bipartisan stock trading ban in the House

Issue One responds after House lawmakers propose $15 million in election funding

New poll finds voters concerned about presidential power and strongly support constitutional checks and balances

Congressional hearing highlights the need to protect children from the harms of AI companion chatbots

Issue One praises introduction of bipartisan stock trading ban in the House

Issue One responds after House lawmakers propose $15 million in election funding

New poll finds voters concerned about presidential power and strongly support constitutional checks and balances

Congressional hearing highlights the need to protect children from the harms of AI companion chatbots

Issue One praises introduction of bipartisan stock trading ban in the House

Issue One responds after House lawmakers propose $15 million in election funding

Supporting Issue One gives me something I don’t often feel in politics these days: hope. In a time when democracy feels fragile, they’re the rare organization with the credibility — and bipartisan muscle — to actually get things done. Bob Rothhouse