Press Releases
(LAKE RIDGE, VA) – Today, Citizens in Charge Foundation, a transpartisan national voter rights group focused on the ballot initiative and referendum process, presented Utah State Representative Neil Hansen (D-Ogden) with the March 2010 John Lilburne Award. Rep. Hansen is being recognized for standing up for equality and fairness in the state’s initiative process and against pending legislation, SB 275, which would give opponents of an initiative an unfair advantage over the initiative’s supporters.
(LAKE RIDGE, VA) – Today, Citizens in Charge, a transpartisan national voter rights group focused on the ballot initiative and referendum process, presented testimony urging Maryland legislators to restore the state’s referendum process by passing Senate Bill 240. Additionally, the group suggested amending the bill to give the Board of Elections latitude in verifying the identity of the registered voter.
(LAKE RIDGE, VA) – Today, Citizens in Charge Foundation, a transpartisan national voter rights group focused on the ballot initiative and referendum process, presented the Concerned Citizens Council of Big Spring, Texas with the February 2010 John Lilburne Award. The group is being recognized for standing up for the petition rights of all citizens by filing suit against the city council for violating the state open meetings law in an attempt to block the Concerned Citizens Council’s petition.
(LAKE RIDGE, VA) – Today, Citizens in Charge Foundation, a transpartisan national voter rights group focused on the ballot initiative and referendum process, released their 2010 Report Card on Statewide Voter Initiative Rights. The Report Card is a comprehensive review of initiative and referendum rights in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The report details the policies and laws that restrict these rights, and suggests reforms for each state to improve its grade.
(LAKE RIDGE, VA) – Today, Citizens in Charge Foundation, a transpartisan national voter rights group focused on the ballot initiative and referendum process, presented The Citizen Power Campaign with the January 2010 John Lilburne Award. The group is being recognized for making the initiative process open & accessible to citizens by utilizing new technology in signature gathering campaigns.
(LAKE RIDGE, VA) – Today, Citizens in Charge Foundation, a transpartisan national voter rights group focused on the ballot initiative and referendum process, presented Howard County Citizens for Open Government with the December 2009 John Lilburne Award. The group is being awarded this month for working to defend their right to petition their government over a land-use issue in Howard County, Maryland.
(LAKE RIDGE, VA) – Today, Citizens in Charge Foundation, a transpartisan national voter rights group focused on the ballot initiative and referendum process, presented California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger with the November 2009 John Lilburne Award. Governor Schwarzenegger is being honored for vetoing four bills from the California Assembly and Senate during the 2009 session that would have restricted the initiative process in the state.
(LAKE RIDGE, VA) – Today, Citizens in Charge Foundation, a transpartisan national voter rights group focused on the ballot initiative and referendum process, presented Healthy Democracy Oregon with the October 2009 John Lilburne Award. The group is being recognized for promoting a more open and accessible initiative and referendum process in Oregon by championing legislation to establish the Citizens’ Initiative Review.
(LAKE RIDGE, VA) – Today, Citizens in Charge Foundation, a transpartisan national voter rights group focused on the ballot initiative and referendum process, presented Auburn, New York citizen David Schlegel with the September 2009 John Lilburne Award. Mr. Schlegel is being recognized for standing up for the rights of citizens and actively pressuring his state representatives to enact a statewide process of initiative and referendum.
(LAKE RIDGE, VA) – Today, Citizens in Charge Foundation, a transpartisan national voter rights group focused on the ballot initiative and referendum process, presented Wall Street Journal columnist John Fund with the August 2009 John Lilburne Award. Mr. Fund is being recognized for standing up for the rights of citizens and defending the initiative process from attacks.