PUBLIC FINANCING OF CAMPAIGNS
Did you know twenty-five states have programs that provide public funds for election campaigns?
Public financing of campaigns encourages candidates to be:
Accountable to all voters in a district instead of focusing on wealthy areas and individuals
Involved with constituents because almost all their time can be spent on their work – not on fundraising
Public financing of campaigns:
Allows time for each candidate to interact with voters
Enables voters to hear directly from each candidate
Provides opportunities for a wider variety of people to run for office
Changes the focus for the competition to be based on new ideas and policies
Offers equal money to run effective, competitive campaigns
Promotes real choices and reduced cynicism
BILLS BEFORE CONGRESS
Government by the People Act (HR 20) - Empowering small donors and increasing political participation. Matching public funds for small dollar contributions, and various other provisions. (Congressional elections), key sponsor: Rep. Sarbanes.
Empowering Citizens Act (HR 424) Empowering small donors and increasing political participation. (Congressional and Presidential elections), key sponsor: Rep. Price.
Fair Elections Now Act (S 1538)
Allow Senate candidates to run competitive campaigns by relying on small donations from people back home—not big-money donors. Creates tax credit, matching grants and donation caps for participating candidates. Key Sponsor: Sen. Durbin
PEOPLE POWER PROGRESS UPDATES
In November 2016, Howard County, Maryland is voting on Measure A and Berkeley is voting on Measure X1
In November 2015, Maine (Yes On 1) and Seattle (I-122) voters approved or expanded public financing programs! Seattle gives each voter four $25 vouchers to give to candidates of their choice.
In September 2014, Montgomery County became the first county in Maryland to take advantage of a state program to create a small donor matching system for council and executive elections.
In February 2015, Chicago voters approved a non-binding resolution calling for city-wide public financing program. In January 2016, three Chicago alderman responded by proposing a public financing program using matching funds on contributions up to $175.
ACTION STEP 1: SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT BY THE PEOPLE ACT
Call your Rep. and ask them to support this bill from Rep. Sarbanes HR20: Government By The People Act.
Introduced by Rep. John Sarbanes, D-MD, HR 20 encourages small dollar gifts to candidates for the House of Representatives by providing citizens with a $25 refundable tax credit. The bill creates a “Freedom from Influence” fund to match small dollar donations -- $150 or less – from individuals at a 6-1 rate. Thus a $50 gift would grow to $350 and a $150 gift to $1,050. Additional matching funds would be available to candidates who agree to accept only small-dollar donations. It also includes provisions to counter the power of super PACs and “dark money” non-profit groups.
Watch Rep. Sarbanes talk about HR 20:
ACTION STEP 2: FIND OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN YOUR STATE
From Every Voice - State Groups working on Public Financing
IL - Citizen Action
MD - Progressive Maryland
Twenty-five states have programs that provide public funds for use in election campaigns. State public financing programs may be divided into three broad categories:
Provide funds directly to individual candidates
Provide funds to political parties
Provide tax incentive to citizens who make political contributions
Here's a rundown of what public financing looks like in various states.
14 states offer public funds to political candidates:
AZ, CT, FL, HI, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NJ, NM, NC, RI, VT, WV
10 states provide grants to qualified political parties:
AL, AZ, IA, KT, MN, NM, NC, OH, RI, UT
7 states offer tax incentives to encourage citizens to make political contributions:
AR, MN, MT, OH, OK, OR, VA
IF IT'S NOT HAPPENING IN YOUR STATE: CONTACT EVERY VOICE TO JOIN OR START A GROUP
ACTION STEP 3: CHECK OUT GLOBAL EXCHANGE'S ELECT DEMOCRACY CONGRESSIONAL LEGISLATIVE SCORECARD
Does bank campaign $$ buy pro-industry votes? Check out Global Exchange's ground-breaking new style of legislative scorecard and report to see for yourself the cold hard facts about Congress 'Wall Street loyalty rates' and corporate campaign contributions.
Share This Infographic: Meet The FIRE (Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate) Sector: Discover how the bulk of Wall Street has burned through over $4.2 billion via lobbying and campaign contributions in order to buy power and influence in DC.
Download and share their new infographic.