Article IV is an advocacy organization that promotes policies it claims will help reform democracy by appointing “cross-partisan advisors.” ¹ It claims to support redistricting commissions and ranked-choice voting. ²

Article IV claims that its team includes Democrats, Republicans, and Independents with a “common interest in defending American democracy.”³ The group claims it is “geographically distributed” to push local and state-led policy initiatives. ³ The group has received funding from the left-of-center Hopewell Fund, part of the Arabella Advisors network. ¹

Background

Article IV claims that the two-party political system in the United States is no longer effective, as it leads to too few competitive general elections. ⁴ Instead, the group claims to support independent citizen redistricting commissions as well “Top-4” and “Top-5” primary cycles. The group claims such reforms push politicians into forming new coalitions to win elections. ⁴

Article IV was reportedly based in Lubbock, Texas as well as a P.O box Arlington, Virginia as of 2023. ^{2 5 6}

The organization claims to research what it calls “American democratic dysfunction” ⁷ while promoting local, state-led campaigns and policy initiatives. ⁷

Financials

In 2022, the Hopewell Fund, a nonprofit that is part of the left-of-center Arabella Advisors network, contributed $433,108 to Article IV. ¹

Article IV provides grants to organizations at the state level for campaigns. ⁷

In 2022, Article IV contributed $400,000 to the Utah Ranked Choice Voting Action for a ballot initiative. That same year it gave $342,000 for Oregon Ranked Choice Voting Advocates. It gave $150,000 to Protect AR Constitution, a local advocacy group based in Arkansas. ¹

In 2024, Article IV donated $2.25 million to the “Yes on 117” ballot initiative in Oregon to adopt ranked choice voting. ⁸

Article IV contributed $10.5 to the 2024 Ohio ballot initiative for a citizen redistricting commission. ⁹

Article IV contributed $13 million to the “Yes on 3” campaign in Nevada for the Question 3 on the ballot to adopt a “top-five primary” system in the state in 2024. ¹⁰

In 2024, Article IV gave $4.7 million to a Montana ballot initiative to adopt a top-four primary system. ²

In 2024, Article IV contributed $4.42 million opposing a ballot measure in Alaska to overturn the ranked-choice voting law. ¹¹

Leadership

George Wellde is the executive director of Article IV as 2024. In 2022 he earned a salary of $180,000 according to that year’s tax returns for the group. ¹

Cabel Hobbs is the treasurer of the board of directors at Article IV. ¹

Sam Mar is the secretary of the board of directors at Article IV. ¹

1. “Article IV.” Cause IQ. Accessed October 25, 2024. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/article-iv,862820532/
2.   Sakariassen, Alex. “Twin constitutional initiatives aim to make Montana elections more competitive.” Montana Free Press. October 4, 2024. Accessed October 25, 2024. https://montanafreepress.org/2024/10/04/twin-constitutional-initiatives-aim-to-make-montana-elections-more-competitive/
3. About Us.” Article IV. Accessed October 25, 2024.https://www.articlefour.org/#about-us
4. “Why We Do It.” Article IV. Accessed October 25, 2024. https://www.articlefour.org/#why-we-doit
5. Neugeboren, Eric. “Millions pour into groups supporting abortion, ranked-choice voting ballot questions.” Nevada Independent. October 18, 2024. Accessed October 25, 2024. https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/millions-pour-into-groups-supporting-abortion-ranked-choice-voting-ballot-questions
6. Tobias, Andrew J. “Who’s paying for the campaigns for and against State Issue 1? New state filing offers first glimpse.” Cleveland Plain Dealer. https://www.cleveland.com/news/2023/07/whos-paying-for-the-campaigns-for-and-against-state-issue-1-new-state-filing-offers-first-glimpse.html
7. “What We Do.” Article IV. Accessed October 25, 2024. https://www.articlefour.org/#what-we-do
8. Jaquiss, Nigel. “Virginia Nonprofit Gives Largest Oregon Campaign Contribution of 2024.” Willamette Week. October 22, 2024. Accessed October 25, 2024. https://www.wweek.com/news/2024/10/22/virginia-non-profit-gives-largest-oregon-campaign-contribution-of-2024/
9.  “Ohio Issue 1, Establish the Citizens Redistricting Commission Initiative (2024).” Ballotpedia. Accessed October 25, 2024. https://ballotpedia.org/Ohio_Issue_1,_Establish_the_Citizens_Redistricting_Commission_Initiative_(2024)
10. “Nevada Question 3, Top-Five Ranked-Choice Voting Initiative (2024).” Ballotpedia. Accessed October 25, 2024. https://ballotpedia.org/Nevada_Question_3,_Top-Five_Ranked-Choice_Voting_Initiative_(2024)
11. “Alaska Ballot Measure 2, Repeal Top-Four Ranked-Choice Voting Initiative (2024).” Ballotpedia. Accessed October 25, 2024. https://ballotpedia.org/Alaska_Ballot_Measure_2,_Repeal_Top-Four_Ranked-Choice_Voting_Initiative_(2024)