The Five Estates of Power in Government

For generations, power has been concentrated in the hands of a few. The traditional estates’ (the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches) abuses have been held accountable by the press, often called the 'Fourth Estate.'

In recent years, social media has taken on aspects of their role, amplifying voices and fueling movements. However, while likes, shares, and hashtags raise awareness, they rarely lead to tangible action.

The call for change is loud, but too often, it goes unanswered. 

That’s where the Fifth Estate comes in.

We’re here because the system isn’t working and it won’t fix itself.

When politicians break promises and corporations rewrite the rules for their own profit, communities are left without a real path forward.

We believe you shouldn’t have to wait for someone else to solve the problems you see. You have the right to propose solutions yourself and the tools to make them law.

Our Mission

The Fifth Estate is a member-driven organization built to put lawmaking tools directly in the hands of everyday people. We help Americans research, write, fund, and pass state-level ballot measures, turning frustration into action, and ideas into enforceable laws.

We don’t just talk about change. We structure it, build it, and deliver it.

What We Do

• Proposal Support: We help members develop, refine, and document citizen-driven law proposals that meet legal standards for ballot qualification.

• Research Access: We provide open-source research guides and peer-reviewed evidence so that every proposal is informed and verifiable.

• Campaign Infrastructure: We offer pathways for collective fundraising, public voting prioritization, media amplification, and campaign field operations.

• Legal and Policy Expertise: Our teams work alongside members to ensure proposals are practical, defensible, and ready for implementation.

Membership: Your Rights and Role

Becoming a member of the Fifth Estate means you’re not just supporting ideas, you are driving decisions.

As a member, you have:

• Proposal Rights: Every member can submit ballot initiative ideas for public review and discussion.

• Voting Rights: Members vote to prioritize which proposals move forward to fundraising, drafting, and ballot qualification.

• Funding Direction: You choose which campaigns your contributions support, ensuring your dollars go exactly where you intend.

• Campaign Oversight: Vote on who manages the campaigns you fund and help shape how they operate.

• Full Transparency Access: All budgets, allocations, and campaign reports are accessible to members. No hidden costs, no backroom deals.

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Membership starts at $6 per month per active measure, empowering you to fund the causes you believe in without gatekeepers.

Our Vision

We imagine a future where communities lead policy, not politicians.

Here, voters are not limited to picking candidates every two or four years.  Instead, they propose, fund, and pass the laws they want, using the rights guaranteed under their state constitutions.

This is structured, people-powered lawmaking built on local control, constitutional authority, and direct accountability.

The Fourth Estate sparks conversation.

The Fifth Estate drives change.