Baltimore’s next step toward better government (Editorial)
In November 2018, Baltimore voters approved a charter amendment that created a fund to finance local campaigns but left the details to the City Council. As the Baltimore Sun editorial…
Oregon could lead campaign finance reform (Op-Ed)
With the governor and legislators considering campaign contribution limits, Oregon may no longer be one of the five states that permit donors to donate to campaigns without limit. Ian Vandewalker…
Portland, Maine activists look to create a local clean elections program
Activists in Portland, Maine are pushing for public financing for local elections in their city. Representatives from the Fair Elections Portland campaign have begun the process to get an initiative…
Denver to Elect Official to Implement Public Financing System
In the race for Denver clerk and recorder, all three candidates in the running say that, if elected, their top priorities include implementing the public financing system Denver voters approved…
Wisconsin should address damage done by big money from outside interests (Editorial)
Following the April 2 election in Wisconsin, the Capital Times editorial board urges the state’s elected officials to consider passing public financing to resolve the state’s big donor problem. The…
Baltimore Co. Council approves public campaign financing measure
Months after the city of Baltimore passed public financing via referendum, the Baltimore County Council voted 5-2 on a charter amendment to create a public financing system for county elections. …
House passes sweeping election reform bill
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-Dollar Donors Are Playing A Growing Role In Congressional Campaigns
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…
New Poll Shows Majority of New Mexicans Supports Public Financing
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…
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez identified the problem. Here’s the solution (Op-Ed)
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…