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Our Impact

If we want an America that is truly family friendly, we need to break down the barriers standing in our way. That means clearing the roadblocks keeping moms out of office and helping everyday mamas make their voices heard.

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“If we want to change our policies, we need to change our policy makers. The only way to do that is change our political system.”

Liuba Grechen Shirley, Founder & CEO, Vote Mama

Campaign Funds for Childcare

Vote Mama Lobby is building a future where childcare costs are no longer an obstacle for parents and caregivers pursuing public office. As the only organization working to authorize Campaign Funds for Childcare (CFCC) in all 50 states, Vote Mama Lobby is ensuring that state-level candidates have access to this critical resource already available to federal candidates. To date, 39 states (plus DC) have already enacted rulings allowing state and local candidates to use campaign funds on childcare expenses. Removing this financial barrier is critical to making public office accessible to young families and ensuring their voices are represented at the decision-making table.

Learn more about CFCC

Campaign Funds for Security

No one should have to choose between their safety and running for office. But that’s the reality for far too many candidates today—especially women, moms, and candidates of color. Political violence, doxxing, and death threats have become far too commonplace in America, which is why Campaign Funds for Security (CFS) is such a critical resource. CFS is already permissible at the federal level, and Vote Mama Lobby is the only organization working to authorize CFS in all 50 states, ensuring that state-level candidates have the same protections when running for, and serving in office.

Learn more about CFS

Modernizing Government

Our government was designed for wealthy, white, land-owning men in the 18th century. It’s no wonder that our structures don’t support women (especially moms) serving in office. If we don’t address the structural barriers within our own legislatures, moms will always be an afterthought in political representation. Vote Mama Lobby advocates for the commonsense changes necessary to bring our government into the 21st century.

Increase legislator pay and make state legislatures full-time

If legislators are not paid a livable wage, only independently wealthy Americans will be able to serve. Congressional pay has not been adjusted for inflation since 2009, and only four states pay legislators a livable wage that they can survive on without additional income (California, Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania). Many of the remaining states have “part-time” legislatures, sometimes paying as little as $0, even though representing their districts is a year-round commitment. How many under the poverty line, OR making it difficult for legislators to maintain regular full-time jobs to support themselves and their families.

Legislator benefits: health insurance, retirement, and paid leave

If we want everyday Americans to be able to represent us in office, legislative service needs to be treated as a job, not a volunteer opportunity. State legislators are not guaranteed health insurance or retirement benefits, which can be an insurmountable barrier unless officeholders are independently wealthy or have a spouse through whom they can get coverage. At both the federal and state levels (with the exception of Colorado), there is no paid family and medical leave, forcing legislators to make the impossible choice between caring for their family or serving their community.

Family-friendly infrastructure

Legislative buildings are not fully accessible for parents with young children. In Congress, the on-site childcare program has limited slots and a years-long waitlist, and the first-ever changing tables were installed in 2011 (and they are still not fully sufficient). At the state level, there has been no consistent movement to address the need for childcare, changing tables, or pumping rooms in legislative buildings. Only Alaska has a formal on-site childcare program for all legislators to use during legislative sessions, while states like Florida, New York, and West Virginia have only informal childcare programs.

Remote or proxy voting options

The unpredictability of voting schedules and rules requiring in-person voting restrict a legislator’s ability to balance caregiving needs and legislative duties, a constraint felt disproportionately by parents with school-age children. At the federal level, there is no remote or proxy voting for legislators, and the rules at the state level vary from state to state and can even change from year to year, leaving parents with little guidance on what options they have when there is a family emergency. Employers across America have embraced flexible and hybrid work models; our legislatures should be the same.

Normalize families living wherever makes the most sense for each legislator

Up until the mid 1990s, it was the norm for members of Congress to move their families to Washington, D.C. But because it is now a political liability for parents to do this, members are faced with this decision: keep their families in their districts and say goodnight to their kids on FaceTime, or weather the political attacks for moving their family to the capital. This struggle also exists for state legislators, who often have to travel long distances to their respective capitals. Parents should not be penalized for wanting to see their children and should be encouraged to do what makes the most sense for their family.

Campaign Funds for Childcare (CFCC)

At the federal level, legislators can use their campaign funds to pay for dependent care expenses arising from their role as public officials. This helps legislators with young children or aging parents, for example, when they have to stay late at the Capitol for a critical vote or committee hearing. However, only 14 states allow legislators to use campaign funds on broader dependent care expenses related to carrying out official duties. By reforming campaign finance rules to allow officeholders to cover dependent care expenses, we can help caregivers sustainably stay in office and serve their communities without worrying about the care of a loved one.

Campaign Funds for Security (CFS)

At the federal level, legislators can use their campaign funds to pay for legitimate security expenses incurred directly from holding public office. This helps protect not only legislators but their families as well. However, only 10 states allow state legislators to use campaign funds on security expenses when related to carrying out official duties. By reforming campaign finance rules to allow security expenses, we can provide caregivers the tools and protection they need to run and serve safely. No parent should worry about their family’s safety because they serve in office.

Prohibit the sharing of legislators’ home addresses

At both the federal and state levels, candidates must list their home address when they file to run. These home addresses then appear in public disclosure reports, which are easily accessible to the general public. Some states have implemented policies to prevent candidates’ personal information from being made public, or redacting home addresses on public-facing materials. This should be standard nationwide. especially for local candidates, who usually operate their campaign activities out of their homes, rather than formal campaign offices.
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Family-Friendly Policies

Our Motherboard is a diverse roster of influential leaders who are committed to the mission of Vote Mama. Together, they work at the intersection of culture, media, and policy to drive real change.

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Vote Mama Statement on Recent Political Violence
Founder and CEO Liuba Grechen Shirley Interview with Katie Phang
Liuba joined Katie to discuss the underrepresentation of moms in Congress.
MOMS WILL FLIP VIRGINIA — AND THE COUNTRY WITH IT
Vote Mama is backing every Democratic mom of minor children running for the Virginia House of Delegates, while also supporting candidates in key local races.
How Busy Philipps And Vote Mama Are Making Motherhood Electable
Since its founding in 2019, Vote Mama has endorsed more than 600 candidates.
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Vote Mama Lobby is breaking the structural barriers that moms face when running for and serving in elected office. Your gift today will help us build a better political system–one that prioritizes American families.

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