Public Campaign - Public Financing

Praise and Potential

Katie Schlieper — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:31:28 -0500

Maimounah Masudi praises the Fayetteville Observer in this letter for their support of the efforts to win and expand the Voter Owned Elections public financing program in North Carolina which Masudi says "is crucial to the election process, because it is designed to allow the average citizen to be put on a level playing field with big money donors."

Obama's Obligation

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:21:11 -0500

Public Campaign's Nick Nyhart writes in the Huffington Post today on Sen. Barack Obama's decision to opt out of the public financing system for the presidential election. Characterizing Obama's decision as "regrettable" but "understandable" Nyhart says that Obama has an even greater obligation to pursue an improved public financing system for the presidential race, and, though the Fair Elections Now Act, create one for Congress.

Chapel Hill Passes

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:09:44 -0500

Way to go Chapel Hill! After many years of work, the town council has approved a pilot program of full public financing for town council races. The idea was already approved by the state legislature. This is the first municipality in North Carolina to have a full public financing program. Candidates for the state's Supreme and Appellate Court positions, as well as three of the Council of State positions also have the option to run with public financing.

Independent Expenditures

Katie Schlieper — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:47:59 -0500

As indepedent expenditures by 527 groups infilrate elections at all levels, solutions are being shopped around to get better control over these groups that have gained greater influence as contribution limits to candidates have gone into effect. This article in the Whittier Daily News about an election contest for a California Assembly seat profiles several of those proposals.

Turning Tide?

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:34:01 -0500

This article in the New Mexico Independent looks at emerging trends in the makeup of the state legislature, particularly the Democratic side, as well as a more energized electorate and how it could bode well for more progressive campaign finance legislation, including public financing of elections. Public financing has a enjoyed a few victories, but these changes could spell more momentum for expanding the Clean Elections program to include more races, and more high-profile offices.

Three Cheers

Katie Schlieper — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:58:48 -0500

The Fayetteville Observer cheers the expansion of North Carolina's Voter-Owned Elections public financing program to include three Council of State candidates. Participation by candidates for the three eligible seats is high, which makes for a strong argument to make all Council of State candidates eligible to participate. As the paper says, "it’s about time voters get the front-row seats and special interests move to the rear."

Candidate Profile

Katie Schlieper — Wed, 28 May 2008 15:02:58 -0500

North Carolina's dBusiness News reports on one of the candidates for State Auditor, Leslie Merritt of Zebulon, North Carolina who is running for office using the state's Voter-Owned Elections full public financing program. The program was expanded this year to include three Council of State positions, including State Auditor. Previously, it covered elections to the North Carolina Appellate and Supreme Courts.

High Participation

Katie Schlieper — Tue, 27 May 2008 11:52:19 -0500

Fifteen candidates running for office in North Carolina for offices eligible to participate in the Voter-Owned Elections full public financing program are running using the program. Candidates for Appellate and Supreme Court judgeships, as well as candidates for State Auditor, State Insurance Commissioner, and Superintendent of Public Instruction are eligible.

Meeting Notes

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 22 May 2008 14:47:51 -0500

The Daily Tar Heel reports out on a recent town hall meeting on the Voter Owned public financing program being considered by the Chapel Hill, North Carolina Town Council to cover their elections. The idea has already been approved by the North Carolina legislature. The cost of running for office in Chapel Hill runs in the thousands of dollars -- certainly nothing like the millions it takes to run for federal office, but well out of reach for many people interested in public office but without access to wealth.

Public Financing Going to the Chapel?

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 15 May 2008 10:44:07 -0500

Speaking of North Carolina, Chapel Hill may become the state's first municipality to offer a full public financing option for city council races. The state legislature has approved the idea, now the council is debating it. Cities like Portland, Oregon and Albuquerque, New Mexico offer a full public financing option and officials in more cities (like Los Angeles and New York) are proposing similar programs as the cost of running for office goes up and closes more people out.