Citizens in Charge Foundation explained

Citizens in Charge Foundation
Location:	Woodbridge, Virginia
Region:	United States
Revenue:	$1,277,393^[1]
Revenue Year:	2016
Expenses:	$1,190,744
Expenses Year:	2016
Employees:	2
Employees Year:	2016
Purpose:	To protect and expand the initiative and referendum rights of every American without regard to partisanship or politics.
Tax Id:	13-4070270
Status:	501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Leader Title:	President
Leader Name:	Paul Jacob^[2]

The Citizens in Charge Foundation (CCF) is a nonprofit, non-partisan^[3] organization that advocates in favor of direct democracy.^{[4] [5] [6] [7]} It was founded by libertarian activist Paul Jacob^[3] who has served as its president since its founding in 2001.

Activities

Litigation

• Filed an amicus brief written by Todd Graves in the successful case, Citizens for Tax Reform v. Deters, whereby Ohio's ban on paying petition circulators per signature was struck down in 2008. The state's appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court was denied.
• Filed Amicus curiae brief in Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action v. Granholm urging the court to allow the Michigan Civil Rights initiative Committee to intervene in the challenge to their successful initiative. The state officials handling the suit publicly opposed the initiative.
• Amicus curiae brief was filed in LetOhioVote.org v. Brunner, a case calling for Ohio to abide by its constitutional requirement that new gambling allowances must be put to a statewide vote.
• Funded research and negotiations with Nebraska's Secretary of State in, Mann v. Gale, wherein the Secretary of State agreed to standardize procedures used to verify signatures.
• Citizens in Charge, et al v. Miller challenged Nevada's narrow interpretation of the single-subject requirement for initiatives. This case was filed in federal district court in Nevada.
• Citizens in Charge v. Brunner challenged Ohio's arbitrary referendum title setting process. The case is pending in federal district court.
• CCF was represented by the American Civil Liberties Union in Citizens in Charge Foundation, Inc. v. Gale, which challenged Nebraska's residency requirement, county-based distribution requirement, and requirement that petitions indicate whether circulators are paid or volunteer.^[8]

Reports

In 2010, CICF released a state-by-state report card that "assesses the restrictions and accessibility each state provides for citizen-led ballot initiatives and referendums."^{[3] [9]}

In the same year, Citizens in Charge Foundation and Citizens in Charge jointly commissioned Pulse Opinion Research to conduct a poll to determine public support for the initiative and referendum process.

Citizens in Charge

Citizens in Charge is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization started by Paul Jacob in 2001 that works directly with public officials and voters to protect and spread ballot initiative rights. Citizens in Charge and Citizens in Charge Foundation are separate organizations. Paul Jacob also serves as president of Citizens In Charge.^[10]

External links

• • Organizational Profile – National Center for Charitable Statistics (Urban Institute)

Notes and References

1. "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax". Citizens in Charge Foundation. Guidestar. December 31, 2016.
2. "Still Oklahoma's Most Wanted". The Wall Street Journal. December 26, 2008. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
3. News: Hayden. Erik. Ballot Initiatives: Making The Grade?. August 11, 2014. Pacific Standard. February 27, 2010 .
4. News: Greenblatt. Alan. Beer, Candy And Pot Among Issues Before Voters. 11 August 2014. NPR. 2010-09-28.
5. News: Luning. Ernest. Initiative process comes under siege in Colorado. 11 August 2014. Colorado Statesman. 2011-06-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20140812213406/http://www.coloradostatesman.com/content/992861-initiative-process-comes-under-siege-colorado. 12 August 2014. dead.
6. News: Oklahoma AG indicts national term limits leader; Paul Jacob vows to fight. 11 August 2014. Washington Examiner. 2 October 2007.
7. News: Snyder. Sarah. Concerned Citizens Council Votes to File Lawsuit Against Big Spring. 11 August 2014. NewsWest9.
8. News: ACLU Challenges Nebraska Petition Laws That Keep Independent Candidates Off Ballot. 11 August 2014. American Civil Liberties Union. 2009-12-16.
9. News: Reilly. Sean. Alabama, Mississippi citizens shut out of government, says report. 11 August 2014. AL.com. 8 February 2010.
10. News: Cook. Morgan. Donations in Irvine races may have broken law. 11 August 2014. Orange County Register. 2013-12-27.