About Us
Community Coalition
for Common Ground
Fostering connections, facilitating dialogue
and sharing resources
Community Coalition for Common Ground (cc4cg) fosters civic participation across the Historic Triangle and beyond by:
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Building neighborhood networks
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Sharing community resources
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Empowering voters to uphold democratic values
"Community is about belonging to something, but it's also about doing something together that makes belonging matter." - Bill Silos
"I am stunned at how many people, neighborhoods and organizations I know about because of this network. There are so many people doing for others, organizing and preparing for future elections, possible crisis, organizing to make sure we can support our neighbors when needed." - Julie Cabaniss
Latest News
Republicans have gerrymandered five states, mid-decade, to ensure they keep a majority in U.S. House of Representatives in the next election.
Virginia leadership created the redistricting referendum as a way to undo the effects of their gerrymandering. It seeks to temporarily change the voting districts in Virginia to even the playing field. Here are the numbers:
Why the April 21st referendum?
Election News
April 14 Last day to register or update your address and still vote on a regular ballot
March 6-April 18 Early voting for the Redistricting Referendum.
April 21 In-person voting for the Redistricting Referendum.
August 4 Primary Election (June 18-Aug. 1 early voting in person)
November 3 General Election (Sept. 18-Oct. 31 early voting in person)
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What is on the ballot on April 21st?
Four states (and a fifth, Florida, is likely to join in as well) have changed their congressional district boundaries mid-decade to favor more Republican seats. This has not been done before outside of the 10-year census years. Virginia leadership has chosen to try and level the playing field and also do a redistricting. The numbers are as follows (R = Republican, D = Democratic)
Texas +5R seats California +5D seats
Missouri +1R seats Utah +1D seat
North Carolina +1R seat Virginia +4D seats
Ohio +2R seats
Florida +3-5R planned
Redistricting Referendum Information
Arguments for a YES vote:
Virginia's Role in Determining the Future of U.S. Democracy
Virgina Department of Elections info. on Referendum
How the GOP sees it:
"I am stunned at how many people, neighborhoods and organizations I know about because of this network. There are so many people doing for others, organizing and preparing for future elections, possible crisis, organizing to make sure we can support our neighbors when needed." - Julie Cabaniss
In March of 2025 a small group of people from different neighborhoods around James City County attended a local political candidate meet-and-greet.
While sharing information about themselves, they realized that communities across the area were organizing - creating broad email lists, hosting meetings, and mobilizing neighbors in creative ways - out of concern for our democracy.
Community Coalition for Common Ground (CC4CG) grew out of the need for a focal point where all these neighborhood leaders, organizers, community groups and even nonprofits could find one another to communicate, share and build alliances.
Our mission is to foster civic participation across the Historic Triangle that focuses on
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Building neighborhood networks
-
Sharing community resources
-
Empowering voters to uphold democratic values.
Our goal is to connect as many people, leaders and organizations as possible throughout the Historic Triangle and beyond. No training or affiliation required, just a shared commitment to protecting democracy.
Contact us to be part of the alliance at info@cc4cg.org
About Us
ABOUT US
In March of 2025 a small group of people in one James City County neighborhood attended a candidate meet-and-greet. While sharing information about themselves, they realized that communities across the area were organizing—creating broad email lists, hosting meetings, and mobilizing neighbors in creative ways—out of a shared concern for democracy.
Soon, 22 neighborhood representatives (or "connectors") from across the Historic Triangle were regularly coming together to discuss strategies for improving civic participation. Community Coalition for Common Ground emerged from these gatherings as a central hub where these leaders, along with organizers, community groups, and nonprofit leaders, could connect to share news, best practices, and alliances.
We promote civic participation by fostering connections, facilitating dialogue and sharing resources. During Virginia’s last election cycle, CG members hosted candidate forums, brought organizational leaders and other experts together with voters, canvassed, served as poll greeters, rallied, protested, petitioned, and provided training and education to strengthen civic engagement.
Beyond elections, Common Grounders may also support local needs. The Edge District Community Coalition for Common Ground has become a model for community action through its Ripple Care project, partnering with three local businesses on a successful December food drive and a February gift drive for every Meals-on-Wheels recipient in the JCC/Williamsburg area.
This year, CC4CG aims to have a neighborhood representative in every voting precinct across the Historic Triangle—James City County, Williamsburg, York County, and Poquoson. Our goal is to connect as many people, leaders and organizations as possible throughout the Historic Triangle and beyond.
To join the coalition, contact us at info@cc4cg.org. No training, affiliation, membership fees or long-term commitment is required--just a shared commitment to connecting with your neighbors and protecting democracy.
Community Coalition for Common Ground Steering Committee left to right: Mary Beth Gibson, Camilla Buchanan, Julie Cabaniss, Goldie Duggan, Beth Hoer