Demand Democracy

THE ISSUE

Political integrity is the cornerstone of a government that is accountable, representative, and resilient. Yet many of the institutions and rules designed to safeguard democratic legitimacy—including those governing lobbying, campaign finance, ethics, and voting rights—were built for a different era. Today, they are struggling to keep pace with rapid shifts in political financing, digital campaigning, transnational influence, and public trust.

To meet the challenges of the 21st century, we must modernize the infrastructure of democracy itself. That means building systems that are not only more transparent, but more adaptive, equitable, and secure. Transparency International U.S. works to strengthen political integrity by advocating for robust public financing of campaigns, expansive protections for voting rights and access, and transparency rules that reveal the true sources of political spending. We also support efforts to curb improper foreign influence and close the revolving door between government and industry through meaningful ethics laws and enforcement.