Marina Pino
@marinapino.bsky.social
Counsel, Elections & Government Program @brennancenter.bsky.social. Views my own.
Reposted by Marina Pino
NYC voters are deciding on a ballot measure aimed at shifting odd-year city elections to even years. Such a change would increase voter turnout and save the city millions of dollars. bit.ly/3WsjJes
NYC Is Voting on Moving Its Elections to Even Years. Here’s Why it Matters.
Shifting city elections to even-numbered years is proven to increase turnout among eligible voters, especially those from underserved communities.
www.brennancenter.org
October 28, 2025 at 5:48 PM
NYC voters are deciding on a ballot measure aimed at shifting odd-year city elections to even years. Such a change would increase voter turnout and save the city millions of dollars. bit.ly/3WsjJes
President Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao who pleaded guilty to money laundering in 2023. Binance is also reportedly a major supporter of the Trump family's World Liberty Financial. www.wsj.com/finance/curr...
Trump Pardons Convicted Binance Founder
The pardon follows months of efforts by Changpeng Zhao to boost the Trump family’s own crypto company.
www.wsj.com
October 23, 2025 at 10:33 PM
President Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao who pleaded guilty to money laundering in 2023. Binance is also reportedly a major supporter of the Trump family's World Liberty Financial. www.wsj.com/finance/curr...
📢ICYMI: Today, the New York Court of Appeals unanimously upheld a state law moving many county and town elections outside of New York City to even-numbered years. This is a huge win for New York’s democracy. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
New York Court of Appeals Rules State’s Even-Year Election Law Constitutional
Today the New York Court of Appeals unanimously upheld a 2023 state law moving many county and town elections outside of New York City from odd to even-numbered years.
www.brennancenter.org
October 16, 2025 at 8:25 PM
📢ICYMI: Today, the New York Court of Appeals unanimously upheld a state law moving many county and town elections outside of New York City to even-numbered years. This is a huge win for New York’s democracy. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
📣NEW: Large majority of New York voters (64%) support the state’s historic small donor public financing program. This support spans across party lines and all corners of the state, from Rochester to Riverhead. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
Poll Shows New Yorkers Continue to Support Public Campaign Finance
After its successful start in 2024, a large majority of voters across parties want state leaders to keep funding New York’s small donor public financing program.
www.brennancenter.org
August 15, 2025 at 2:39 PM
📣NEW: Large majority of New York voters (64%) support the state’s historic small donor public financing program. This support spans across party lines and all corners of the state, from Rochester to Riverhead. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
📣ICYMI: The NYC Charter Revision Commission is moving forward with a ballot proposal that would shift NYC elections to even-numbered years, aligning with the presidential cycle. This marks a crucial step forward for the city’s democracy. www.nyc.gov/assets/chart...
www.nyc.gov
July 2, 2025 at 8:03 PM
📣ICYMI: The NYC Charter Revision Commission is moving forward with a ballot proposal that would shift NYC elections to even-numbered years, aligning with the presidential cycle. This marks a crucial step forward for the city’s democracy. www.nyc.gov/assets/chart...
Reposted by Marina Pino
Big money is flooding this year’s state elections starting with the New Jersey gubernatorial race. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
Super PACs Push Up Price of New Jersey Governor Election
Fueled by wealthy interests and out-of-state money, record spending by super PACs made this year’s gubernatorial primaries the most expensive yet.
www.brennancenter.org
June 17, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Big money is flooding this year’s state elections starting with the New Jersey gubernatorial race. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
The Governor, Senate, & Assembly have committed to fully funding NY’s Public Campaign Finance Program, but now, more than two weeks past the budget deadline, there are rumors that some lawmakers want to change the program in ways that would undermine its purpose.
April 16, 2025 at 9:20 PM
The Governor, Senate, & Assembly have committed to fully funding NY’s Public Campaign Finance Program, but now, more than two weeks past the budget deadline, there are rumors that some lawmakers want to change the program in ways that would undermine its purpose.
Reposted by Marina Pino
In a joint letter with @aclu.org, @lwvsf.bsky.social, NAACP and NAACP LDF, we explained to the Election Assistance Commission why it would be unlawful for them to follow the president's recent exec order—which could block millions from voting—and urged them to stand firm and comply with the law. 1/4
Letter to Election Assistance Commission on Executive Order on Voting and Elections
The letter from civil rights groups explains why the president’s order is illegal and should not be followed.
www.brennancenter.org
March 28, 2025 at 1:56 PM
In a joint letter with @aclu.org, @lwvsf.bsky.social, NAACP and NAACP LDF, we explained to the Election Assistance Commission why it would be unlawful for them to follow the president's recent exec order—which could block millions from voting—and urged them to stand firm and comply with the law. 1/4
Reposted by Marina Pino
The main thing to know about the Trump Executive Order on Elections is that it is a massive overreach and will certainly end up in court before much of it can be executed. But on substance, a couple of points...
Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1. Purpose and
www.whitehouse.gov
March 25, 2025 at 10:37 PM
The main thing to know about the Trump Executive Order on Elections is that it is a massive overreach and will certainly end up in court before much of it can be executed. But on substance, a couple of points...
Reposted by Marina Pino
Does evidence that small donors play some role in polarization tell us that small donors--or public financing programs that empower them--are bad?
Nope, small donors are still good for democracy… 🧵
Nope, small donors are still good for democracy… 🧵
March 13, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Does evidence that small donors play some role in polarization tell us that small donors--or public financing programs that empower them--are bad?
Nope, small donors are still good for democracy… 🧵
Nope, small donors are still good for democracy… 🧵
NEW: the NYS Senate and Assembly have included $114.5 million for public campaign financing in their one-house budgets, matching Gov. Hochul’s executive budget proposal. This commitment to full funding will ensure the state’s historic program can keep delivering benefits to everyday New Yorkers.
March 11, 2025 at 4:13 PM
NEW: the NYS Senate and Assembly have included $114.5 million for public campaign financing in their one-house budgets, matching Gov. Hochul’s executive budget proposal. This commitment to full funding will ensure the state’s historic program can keep delivering benefits to everyday New Yorkers.
Reposted by Marina Pino
In bad news for election security, the Department of Homeland Security announced yesterday it's cutting $10 million in funding to the Center for Internet Security.
March 7, 2025 at 9:26 PM
In bad news for election security, the Department of Homeland Security announced yesterday it's cutting $10 million in funding to the Center for Internet Security.
Reposted by Marina Pino
No surprise to see Elon Musk, the president’s top campaign donor and right-hand-man, at the address tonight. Musk spent almost $270M to help elect the president and has promised to keep spending big to promote his allies—all thanks to Citizens United. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Fifteen Years Later, Citizens United Defined the 2024 Election
The influence of wealthy donors and dark money was unprecedented. Much of it would have been illegal before the Supreme Court swept away long-established campaign finance rules.
www.brennancenter.org
March 5, 2025 at 2:24 AM
No surprise to see Elon Musk, the president’s top campaign donor and right-hand-man, at the address tonight. Musk spent almost $270M to help elect the president and has promised to keep spending big to promote his allies—all thanks to Citizens United. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Reposted by Marina Pino
"Campaign financing made up of small contributions and the public matching funds they unlocked was 45% of overall funding in the 2024 cycle, whereas small contributions made up just 5% of campaign financing in prior cycles before the public funding was available." readsludge.com/2025/02/27/n...
New York Used a New Public Campaign Financing Program in 2024. How Did It Work?
The debut cycle of New York’s program more than doubled the participation of in-district small donors, according to a new study from the Brennan Center.
readsludge.com
February 27, 2025 at 11:57 PM
"Campaign financing made up of small contributions and the public matching funds they unlocked was 45% of overall funding in the 2024 cycle, whereas small contributions made up just 5% of campaign financing in prior cycles before the public funding was available." readsludge.com/2025/02/27/n...
Reposted by Marina Pino
You might think Trump's claim to economic populism would mean he'd like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. His move to shut down the CFPB seems to align with what some of his biggest donors want. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
Who Benefits from Trump’s Move to Shut Down Consumer Financial Protection Bureau?
The decision to shutter the CFPB looks to be another example of the donor class holding sway over Washington.
www.brennancenter.org
February 25, 2025 at 2:10 PM
You might think Trump's claim to economic populism would mean he'd like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. His move to shut down the CFPB seems to align with what some of his biggest donors want. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
A must-read from @eepetry.bsky.social on how to uncover corruption and self-dealing at the federal level in this critical moment for our democracy ⤵️
For researchers interested in megadonors, conflicts of interest, and a transactional approach to government, my latest lays out where to look.
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Uncovering Conflicts of Interest and Self-Dealing in the Executive Branch
The new administration could use federal contracts, tariffs, regulations, taxes, and other levers of government to benefit campaign donors, high-level officials, and the president himself.
www.brennancenter.org
February 20, 2025 at 6:54 PM
A must-read from @eepetry.bsky.social on how to uncover corruption and self-dealing at the federal level in this critical moment for our democracy ⤵️
Reposted by Marina Pino
When it comes to presidential politics, it’s a billionaire’s world. But the 2024 elections in New York showed another way is possible. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
New York’s Answer to Billionaire-Fueled Campaigns
The state’s innovative public financing program allows candidates to raise competitive amounts from in-district small donors rather than megadonors. It’s working.
www.brennancenter.org
February 18, 2025 at 3:01 PM
When it comes to presidential politics, it’s a billionaire’s world. But the 2024 elections in New York showed another way is possible. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
Important read from my colleagues @larrynorden.bsky.social and Derek Tisler on the latest moves in Washington to erode key safeguards that protect election infrastructure. ⤵️
The recent freeze of "all election security activities" at CISA is part of a broader attack against the federal guardrails that protect our elections. Derek Tisler and I take a deep dive into the damage that's already been done, what to expect next, and how to push back in @slate.bsky.social.
Trump Is Rolling Out a Huge Part of Project 2025’s Proposed Attacks on Elections
The far-right playbook foretold these moves. They’re not done yet.
slate.com
February 19, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Important read from my colleagues @larrynorden.bsky.social and Derek Tisler on the latest moves in Washington to erode key safeguards that protect election infrastructure. ⤵️
Reposted by Marina Pino
1/ Elon Musk is accessing private government systems and shutting agencies, seemingly w/o regard for his massive conflicts of interest. The power of money in US politics is nothing new. But today it is *different* than what we have seen before. To fix the problem we need to understand what’s changed
The Rise of America’s Broligarchy and What to Do About It
Campaign finance rules and checks on presidential power are collapsing just as leading tech giants have gained power.
time.com
February 12, 2025 at 12:12 PM
1/ Elon Musk is accessing private government systems and shutting agencies, seemingly w/o regard for his massive conflicts of interest. The power of money in US politics is nothing new. But today it is *different* than what we have seen before. To fix the problem we need to understand what’s changed
Since the Supreme Court decided Citizens United 15 years ago, the ultrawealthy have fueled campaigns and drowned out small donations from everyday Americans. But New York State is showing the country how to meet this moment: small donor public financing. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
New York State’s Public Campaign Financing Program Empowers Constituent Small Donors
The matching program’s inaugural run expanded legislative candidates’ reliance on small donors from within their districts.
www.brennancenter.org
February 10, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Since the Supreme Court decided Citizens United 15 years ago, the ultrawealthy have fueled campaigns and drowned out small donations from everyday Americans. But New York State is showing the country how to meet this moment: small donor public financing. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Reposted by Marina Pino
Here are some of the outcomes of NY’s small donor matching program’s inaugural run:
✔️Candidates relied more on small donations from constituents
✔️Small donors’ participation boomed
✔️328 candidates from both parties signed up for the program, representing the vast majority of legislative candidates
✔️Candidates relied more on small donations from constituents
✔️Small donors’ participation boomed
✔️328 candidates from both parties signed up for the program, representing the vast majority of legislative candidates
New York State’s Public Campaign Financing Program Empowers Constituent Small Donors
The matching program’s inaugural run expanded legislative candidates’ reliance on small donors from within their districts.
www.brennancenter.org
February 7, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Here are some of the outcomes of NY’s small donor matching program’s inaugural run:
✔️Candidates relied more on small donations from constituents
✔️Small donors’ participation boomed
✔️328 candidates from both parties signed up for the program, representing the vast majority of legislative candidates
✔️Candidates relied more on small donations from constituents
✔️Small donors’ participation boomed
✔️328 candidates from both parties signed up for the program, representing the vast majority of legislative candidates
Reposted by Marina Pino
In the last election, New York implemented the most powerful response to the big money politics of Citizens United: public financing. Under the program, small donors in a candidate’s district became a more important source than large donors or corporations. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
New York State’s Public Campaign Financing Program Empowers Constituent Small Donors
The matching program’s inaugural run expanded legislative candidates’ reliance on small donors from within their districts.
www.brennancenter.org
February 6, 2025 at 2:02 PM
In the last election, New York implemented the most powerful response to the big money politics of Citizens United: public financing. Under the program, small donors in a candidate’s district became a more important source than large donors or corporations. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Yesterday marked 15 years since the Citizens United ruling that swept away key limits on political spending, vastly expanding the role of big money in politics. Here @brennancenter.bsky.social shows how forces unleashed by the decision defined the 2024 election.
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Fifteen Years Later, Citizens United Defined the 2024 Election
The influence of wealthy donors and dark money was unprecedented. Much of it would have been illegal before the Supreme Court swept away long-established campaign finance rules.
www.brennancenter.org
January 22, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Yesterday marked 15 years since the Citizens United ruling that swept away key limits on political spending, vastly expanding the role of big money in politics. Here @brennancenter.bsky.social shows how forces unleashed by the decision defined the 2024 election.
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Reposted by Marina Pino
NEW from the Brennan Center: Citizens United, the controversial Supreme Court decision that led to the rise of super PACd and dark money, turns 15 this month. The decision shaped the 2024 campaign like no other before. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Fifteen Years Later, Citizens United Defined the 2024 Election
The influence of wealthy donors and dark money was unprecedented. Much of it would have been illegal before the Supreme Court swept away long-established campaign finance rules.
www.brennancenter.org
January 14, 2025 at 2:41 PM
NEW from the Brennan Center: Citizens United, the controversial Supreme Court decision that led to the rise of super PACd and dark money, turns 15 this month. The decision shaped the 2024 campaign like no other before. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Reposted by Marina Pino
The excesses of money in politics in the 2024 election💸started with the🏛️Citizens United🏛️decision, which turns 15 this month.🎂We may have forgotten, but almost all this craziness was illegal in 2010. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Fifteen Years Later, Citizens United Defined the 2024 Election
The influence of wealthy donors and dark money was unprecedented. Much of it would have been illegal before the Supreme Court swept away long-established campaign finance rules.
www.brennancenter.org
January 14, 2025 at 6:48 PM
The excesses of money in politics in the 2024 election💸started with the🏛️Citizens United🏛️decision, which turns 15 this month.🎂We may have forgotten, but almost all this craziness was illegal in 2010. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...