Small Donations Becoming a Sign of Campaign Viability
While small donations used to signify “grass-roots support and an indication of potential voter enthusiasm,” they now are seen as a critical sign of viability for candidates. As one fundraiser…
Seattle mailing out ‘democracy vouchers’ ahead of 2019 City Council elections
2019 marks the second election cycle in which Seattle will use its “democracy voucher” system. With all seven district seats contested in the City Council elections later this year, Seattle…
“Broken” Campaign Finance System Becomes Focus of H.R. 1 Hearing
During the House Oversight Committee hearing on H.R. 1, New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s questions to ethics and reform experts highlighted the significant problems in the country’s campaign finance system.…
Campaign Finance Reform Front and Center as the 2020 Race Begins
As more elected officials announce their presidential candidacies, a clear theme has begun to emerge in the early stages of the 2020 race. Candidates are rejecting corporate PAC money and…
Small Donors Silenced by Big Money in Politics
Big money dominates New York politics, according to a new analysis by the Brennan Center for Justice. Just 100 large donors gave more to statewide races in New York during…
Public Financing in Montgomery County, MD a Success
A former county councilmember and supporter of Montgomery County’s public financing system says that the number of candidates who ran for office in the 2018 local elections was “a testament…
NY LEAD Member Morris Pearl Defends H.R. 1 (Op-Ed)
Patriotic Millionaires chair and NY LEAD member Morris Pearl penned an op-ed in defense of H.R. 1, the House Majority’s pro-democracy reform bill, in response to a piece by Senator…
New York is Making the Case for National Reform
New York state is prioritizing electoral reform this session, passing several bills on their first day, including early voting, pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds, and more. Up next: small donor…
H.R. 1 Could Save American Democracy (Op-Ed)
The House majority’s first piece of legislation, H.R. 1, would improve the nation’s electoral process immeasurably. One of the most significant and potentially transformative policies in the package is a…
States and Cities Have Already Shown Democrats’ Election Reforms Will Work
A number of states, cities and municipalities across the country already have enacted many of the key democracy-strengthening reforms featured in the For the People Act (HR 1). These proposals…