North Carolina Voters for Clean Elections

Long, Atkinson Call for Alternative to "Campaign Money Chase" in Council of State Elections

 

Commissioner Jim Long and Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson spoke at  the state legislature  on June 13 about the need for an alternative way of financing campaigns for Council of State.  

"The current system is broken," said Long. "The insatiable thirst for fundraising—which very often comes from donors who are regulated by the office being sought—must come to an end."

Atkinson also characterized the current campaign financing system as having a corrosive effect on our state's political process. "We know that even the perception of campaign contributors exercising undue influence increases the cynicism of citizens and compromises the vitality of our democracy."

The officials cited the growing role of special interest money, public perceptions about "pay-to-play" politics, and the rising costs of campaigns—which have tripled in the last decade—as reasons why a system of campaign public financing is needed.

Both Atkinson and Long support a system of campaign public financing for Council of State elections. Under public financing, candidates who first collect hundreds of small, qualifying contributions from voters and agree to strict spending and fund-raising limits receive a public grant to run their campaigns.  

Atkinson argued that the program's qualifying contributions requirements would improve the state's democratic process. "Because the program works on a system of 'sweat equity,' participating voters spend more time listening and meeting voters in the field," she said. "By encouraging grassroots campaigning, we build a more responsive democratic system."

A "Voter-Owned Elections" pilot bill for the Council of State will be debated in the House Election Law and Campaign Finance Reform Committee. The bill would create a campaign public financing option for candidates running for Commissioner of Insurance, State Auditor, and Superintendent of Public Instruction for the 2008 elections.

Long urged legislators to support this legislation, arguing it would eliminate the reliance of Council of State officials on donors who do business with the agency, encourage voter involvement and voter "ownership" of elections, and put realistic limits on campaign spending and fundraising.  

"Take it from someone who has been in elections a long time," he said.  "It is time to return our elections to the people."

 

For additional information contact, N.C. Voters for Clean Elections (919)521-4121, ncvce.coalition@gmail.com,PO Box 10402, Raleigh NC 27605 , 919-521-4121, or go to http://www.ncvce.org