[4][11] The organization's tagline is "holding power accountable" and its stated mission is "upholding the core values of American democracy.

We work to create open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process.

"[12] The organization's stated issue areas are "money in politics", "voting and elections", "ethics", "a fair economy", and "media and democracy".

[16][17] In a May 2016 report entitled The Dangerous Path: Big Money's Plan to Shred the Constitution, Common Cause wrote that "There is nothing to prevent the convention, once convened, from proposing additional changes that could limit or eliminate fundamental rights or upend our entire system of government.

[22] The organization's efforts led to ethics probes and the resignations of House Speakers Jim Wright in 1988[23] and Newt Gingrich in 1995.

[28][29] The public interest group also criticized Donald Trump for his refusal to release his tax returns during the 2016 presidential election.

[42] The organization's North Carolina chapter has led a campaign to create a nonpartisan redistricting process, which has bipartisan support in the state.

[45] Common Cause is in favor of establishing a national popular vote for presidential elections to replace the current electoral college system.