Connecticut Expects High Participation
An early survey suggest a very high rate of likely participation among incumbents and challengers in Connecticut's voluntary Clean Elections program, which will have it's first run in 2008. Eighty-six percent of incumbents and 76% of returning 2006 candidates say they will participate, or are inclined to participate, in the Clean Elections full public financing program, according to survey results posted here. These numbers suggest the Connecticut might equal, or even surpass, the Clean Elections participation rate in Maine. Given that three-quarters of the survey respondents also felt too much campaign time is spent raising money suggest a strong vote of confidence among legislators in the promise and principles of a Clean Elections program.