About four out of five likely candidates in the 2008 state legislative elections say they intend to participate in the Citizens' Election Program, according to a new survey conducted for the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC). The telephone survey, implemented by the UCONN Center for Survey Research and Analysis, indicates that 86% of incumbents and 76% of unsuccessful 2006 candidates who plan to run again say they will definitely participate or are inclined to participate in Connecticut's public campaign financing program. More than three-quarters believe that too much campaign time is spent raising money.
Some likely candidates say they might not participate (9%), definitely won't (3%), or don't know (6%). Please speak to potential candidates in your area to ask them for a commitment to participating in the Citizens' Election Program.
Tomorrow, January 3rd, the SEEC will unveil and demonstrate a new Electronic Campaign Reporting Information System (eCRIS) for candidates, PACs and party committees. I hope that public reports from the new system will be easier to view and interpret than the old electronic "reports," which were painfully difficult to access and interpret and impossible to export. This event will take place at the Legislative Office Building at 11 am (event flier). It will be broadcast on the CT Network and may later appear in their online video archive.
Tired of big money ruining politics? You aren't the only one. This week, a coalition of groups are getting together to raise awareness and support for the public financing of elections.
You can find out more, sign a petition and get involved at fairelectionsnow.org.
From the website:
In early 2006 the steady stream of national money in politics scandals presented an opportunity for reformers that called for an extraordinary effort and cooperation. The Brennan Center for Justice, Common Cause, Democracy Matters, Public Campaign, Public Citizen, and U.S. PIRG forged a working coalition and launched a campaign, Seize the Moment (STM), with a mission to focus public attention on federal public financing as the best politically viable, constitutionally acceptable, and practical response to the scandals.
The core coalition is working with state-based organizations from across the country to spread the word about the Fair Elections Now Act during the week of action.
Chris Murphy has expressed support for public financing of elections. The goal is to build that support across the nation.
Dick Durbin and Arlen Spector have also expressed support:
Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) have together given us our best opportunity yet to make headway in our efforts to ensure that congressional elections are about voters, not big money donors. In addition, a similar legislative effort in the House represents real progress in having citizen voices heard by elected officials. Senator Durbin had this to say about his committment to Fair Elections:
"As I've said many times before, changing the way we finance political campaigns in this country is one of the most important challenges I've ever undertaken. The Fair Elections Now Act, which I introduced with bipartisan support, is the way I think we should finance Congressional elections, and I truly believe it is one of the most important bills I've ever introduced.
"However, because so many monied special interests have so much at stake in the current system, Fair Elections will also be one of the most difficult bills I've ever tried to pass. To make campaign finance reform a reality, we must build momentum in neighborhoods throughout the country. That is what Fair Elections Action Week is all about. I need your help."
Connecticut's publicly funded campaign laws don't take effect until 2008, but due to a special election in Shelton this October, they will get a test run a little earlier. So far, the reviews have been good.
Newly-created Connecticut "Clean Elections" system kicks off with special election next month - Common Cause led the huge campaign that passed full public financing in Connecticut in 2005, and the system will go into effect fully in 2008. But it's starting now. The untimely death of state senator Richard Belden last month meant that a special election had to be scheduled for October 9; the uplifting news is that both the Democratic and Republican candidates have already qualified and are running as publicly-funded candidates in the race.
One of the primary goals in 2008 will be high participation from candidates and raised awareness of the voting public, so this is an encouraging start. As Jason Perillo, the Republican candidate, said, "Quite honestly, I don't think this election should be about raising money. My time as a candidate is best spent talking to the voters so they know where I'm coming from." Democrat James Orazietti echoed those sentiments. It's a good sign that the candidates themselves are already spreading the right message!
It's worth noting that Richard Belden, the representative whose seat these two candidates are trying to fill, didn't much like public financing of elections:
When the $16-million-a-year election fund for state races was approved in December 2005, Belden called it "a shell game with taxpayer money being taken away from social spending to support political campaigns."
As a new generation of elected officials comes to office, it's good to know that they can take advantage of this funding, spending more time talking to voters - and less time paying back favors to large donors.
Connecticut's
new system of public financing of campaigns promises to
help liberate our democracy, diminish the influence of monied
interests,
open up the electoral process to more citizens, free
candidates to
spend more time meeting voters than chasing money, and challenge
entrenched politicians.
Whether or not this promise is fulfilled depends in part on
how well
potential candidates and volunteers understand, embrace, and adopt the
new system. Below
I've outlined the basic rules of clean elections funding and
how grassroots candidates for the state
legislature can use the program to take back our democracy.
(Note: I am neither a lawyer nor a campaign finance
expert, and do not guarantee the accuracy of my summary of the
law.
Candidates and volunteers should review the
rules themselves and consult the State Elections Enforcement
Commission.)
Most importantly, spread the word and encourage potential progressive
candidates to take advantage of public financing, run for office, and
make sure that every
Republican and at least a
few DINOs are challenged in 2008.
About four out of five likely candidates in the 2008 state legislative elections say they intend to participate in the Citizens' Election Program, according to a 
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