GettingElectedinAmer ica

Getting Elected in America: 

Getting Elected in America How Money in Politics Affects Public Policy and Weakens the Ideals of Democracy - The Problem -

In order to make political decisions that shape public policy, politicians have to get elected.: 

In order to make political decisions that shape public policy, politicians have to get elected. Most candidates have no other way of getting elected into public office other than raising and using private funds to finance their campaigns In a healthy democracy, voters should have choices in their candidates and be presented with a variety of ways to address issues facing their communities www.democracymatters.org

In order to get elected, politicians need to run a competitive campaign: 

In order to get elected, politicians need to run a competitive campaign Campaign staff, office space, advertisements, direct-mailing, travel, etc. all cost money In over 90% of congressional races, the candidate who raises the most money wins the election During the primary process, a candidate’s viability and competitiveness is determined by how much money he/she is able to raise www.democracymatters.org

In order to run a competitive campaign, politicians need to raise a lot of money: 

In order to run a competitive campaign, politicians need to raise a lot of money Candidates running for the presidency in 2008 will each have to raise at least $100 million in order to run a competitive race All together, candidates running for the presidency in 2008 will raise and spend over $1 billion The average cost of a senate race in 2006 was $7.8 million The average cost of running a senate race has quintupled since 1976 www.democracymatters.org

In order to raise a lot of money, politicians get it from people who have a lot of it: 

In order to raise a lot of money, politicians get it from people who have a lot of it Only 0.25% of the population in America donates $200 or more to a political campaign People who donate more money to campaigns gain greater influence over politicians who are in office The leading issue that led voters to the polls in the 2006 elections was corruption and political scandals linked to moneyed influence in politics www.democracymatters.org

In order to get money from people who have it, politicians need to appeal to the needs and interests of those people: 

In order to get money from people who have it, politicians need to appeal to the needs and interests of those people Politicians write and pass legislation that favors private/economic interests at the expense of the public good Conflicts of interest arise when politicians are required to take money from the same industries and interests for which they must write laws Elected officials spend 1/3 of their time in office dialing for dollars and raising money for their next campaign, instead of focusing entirely on the needs of their constituents www.democracymatters.org

Fair Elections Now: 

Fair Elections Now Clean Money, Voter-Owned Campaigns and the Foundation of a Stronger Democracy - The Solution -

To qualify for full public financing, a candidate must demonstrate that he/she has broad public support from his/her constituency: 

To qualify for full public financing, a candidate must demonstrate that he/she has broad public support from his/her constituency Those who demonstrate leadership and have good ideas for their community are given the opportunity to run a competitive campaign, regardless of their own wealth or access to other people’s wealth It is a voluntary system that protects free speech; other candidates can still choose to raise and spend private money www.democracymatters.org

To demonstrate broad public support, a candidate must gather signatures supporting his/her candidacy and small donations that go to fund the fair elections system: 

To demonstrate broad public support, a candidate must gather signatures supporting his/her candidacy and small donations that go to fund the fair elections system Janet Napolitano, the cleanly elected Governor of Arizona, had to get four thousand people across the state to sign a petition endorsing her candidacy and to donate $5 to the fair elections system Small donations level the playing field so all people, regardless of age, race, or socio-economic background can participate and equally fund our democratic political system www.democracymatters.org

Once a candidate qualifies to receive full public financing, he/she is considered a clean candidate and is no longer allowed to raise or spend any private money: 

Once a candidate qualifies to receive full public financing, he/she is considered a clean candidate and is no longer allowed to raise or spend any private money Released from the burden of having to court big money donors, clean candidates are able to do the grassroots mobilization and voter outreach that puts them in direct contact with their constituency Maine, Arizona, Vermont, Connecticut, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Oregon all have successful forms of a fair elections system 84% of the Maine legislature are clean candidates www.democracymatters.org

Once elected, a clean candidate truly represents the voters and does not owe special interest lobbyists or big donors any legislative favors: 

Once elected, a clean candidate truly represents the voters and does not owe special interest lobbyists or big donors any legislative favors Special interest lobbyists hold no more influence over clean candidates than do average American citizens Clean candidates do not have to worry about fundraising and can focus their time in office on representing voters instead of donors Legislation written and passed by clean candidates is representative of their constituents and community www.democracymatters.org

Democracy Matters: 

Democracy Matters Strengthening Our Democracy and Increasing Faith and Participation in the Political Process - The Action -

Slide13: 

Build Campus Coalitions Outreach to Professors and Teachers Canvassing and Dorm Storming Street Theatre Lobbying Elected Officials Tabling Rallies High School Presentations Poster Parties Public Lectures

The Fair Elections Now Act: 

The Fair Elections Now Act Stage One – Seed Money A U.S. Senate candidate could solicit, accept, and spend seed money contributions of up to $100 from individual contributors (but not from PACs or other special interests) living in any state Seed money expenditures would be limited to a starting cap of $75,000, for a state with one Congressional district; for each additional district in the state, the cap increases by $7500 www.democracymatters.org

The Fair Elections Now Act: 

The Fair Elections Now Act Stage Two – Qualifying Contributions a major party candidate would be required to gather a specified minimum number of qualifying contributions of exactly $5 each Qualifying contributions must be collected from residents in the candidate's home state, and these contributions must be turned over to the Senate Fair Elections Fund to help finance the Fair Elections system. www.democracymatters.org

The Fair Elections Now Act: 

The Fair Elections Now Act Stage Three – Allocation of Funds to Qualifying Candidates Qualified candidates would receive general election funding in the amount of $750,000 plus a formula that is $150,000 times the number of congressional districts in a state, minus one Participants facing privately funded opponents or heavy independent expenditures would be eligible for increased dollar-for-dollar "fair fight funds" up to 200 percent above the base general election allocation www.democracymatters.org