National

The House passed H.R. 1, an historic omnibus package of election, ethics, and campaign finance reforms. One of the key pillars of the  legislation was small donor public financing for…

Small donors are playing an increasingly significant role in national politics, according to a report by Americans for Financial Reform and the Center for Economic and Policy Research.  According to Lisa…

A survey by the University of New Mexico found that “[s]even in 10 [respondents] said elected officials are more responsive to donors than voters.” That number reflects an increase from…

Michael Waldman, President of the Brennan Center for Justice, authored an op-ed in response to the questions on ethics reform asked by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez during the House Oversight Committee’s…

Reflecting on the first bill proposed by the new House majority, H.R. 1, Jelani Cobb writes that the legislation’s proposed small-donor match public financing system “would serve as a counterbalance…

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…

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…

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.…

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…