West Virginia may soon be seeing some changes to its campaign finance laws. Residents of the Mountain State have banded together to work on passing Clean Elections legislation. West Virginia Citizens for Clean Elections, a broad coalition of faith based, environmental, union and public interest groups, is working fervently to organize meetings across the state to engage the support of legislators for the West Virginia Public Financing Act. This legislation, which will be considered by the legislature when it convenes next month, would provide public financing for candidates who agree not to accept private donations and adhere to strict spending limits.

Earlier this month the coalition held a meeting in Charleston, which was attended by a number of public officials, including Sen. Dan Foster (D-Kanawha), who pointed out that no one enjoys incessant fundraising. “Nobody likes to raise money. We like to talk to people and discuss issues - and that's not as big a factor as it should be.”   

Carol Warren, coordinator of the Clean Elections Coalition, agreed with Foster’s sentiment.

“’Pressures on candidates to raise large sums of money fuel the perception that elected officials are corrupt and less accountable to the voters than campaign contributors.’

…Average citizens should be able to become viable political candidates, Warren added, ‘without relying on the financing backing of special interests and lobbyists.’”

Removing the influence of special interests and big money donors is an important step in the right direction. By opening up the field to those who may only be able to reach small donors, there is a greater likelihood of diversity among candidates.

The Citizens for Clean Elections are sponsoring a video contest about public financing and why such reforms are needed. To find out more about how to submit an entry, rules and prizes, visit their website at www.wvoter-owned.org.