RALEIGH, NC, July 29, 2025 — Today, the North Carolina General Assembly officially passed Senate Bill 416, a deeply troubling piece of legislation that threatens the integrity of our democracy by gutting transparency and inviting a flood of secret money into our political system. Under this bill, wealthy special interests have more tools to keep their spending hidden from the public, even if they’re spending millions to sway elections.
“Senate Bill 416 is not about protecting ordinary donors, it’s about shielding ultra-wealthy donors and political insiders who want to operate in the shadows. By weakening donor disclosure laws, this bill gives political nonprofits a green light to further hide who’s funding their activities. Voters deserve to know who is influencing our elections and shaping public policy—not just in theory, but in practice. Senate Bill 416 strips away that right and silences accountability. It opens the door to pay-to-play politics where those with deep pockets can purchase influence without public scrutiny,” said Melissa Price Kromm, Executive Director for NC For The People Action.
This legislation isn’t homegrown. It’s part of a national campaign, led by powerful groups like the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and DonorsTrust, to dismantle campaign finance oversight, weaken watchdogs, and flood our democracy with big money.
“ALEC is a powerful political group where corporations and conservative politicians work together to write laws, often behind closed doors. These cookie-cutter bills appear in statehouses across the country, often benefiting big business and harming everyday people. This bill is a Trojan horse for the ultra-wealthy,” said Adrienne Kelly, Executive Director for Democracy North Carolina.
Four out of five Americans, across political lines, believe in donor transparency.
“This is not a partisan issue. It’s common sense. Yet our lawmakers chose secrecy over sunlight, special interests over citizens, and power over principle,” said Ann Webb, Policy Director with Common Cause North Carolina.
We will not be silent. We will organize, mobilize, and rise up because North Carolinians deserve better. They deserve a government that answers to the people, not to hidden donors pulling the strings behind closed doors.
###
Democracy North Carolina is a statewide nonpartisan organization that uses research, organizing, and advocacy to strengthen democratic structures, build power among disenfranchised communities, and inspire confidence in a transformed political process that works for all. Learn more at democracync.org.
North Carolina For The People is North Carolina’s pro-democracy coalition, aimed at educating the public on how to build a democracy where everyone participates, every vote is counted, voting rights are fully enforced, and everyone’s voice is heard. ncforthepeople.com
Common Cause NC is a nonpartisan grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. We work to create open, honest and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process. CommonCauseNC.org