LWV OHIO action alert

LWVO ACTION ALERT

 
Fair Elections Now Act
 
Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Arlen Specter (R-PA).
 
Let's Level the Playing Field & Maximize Participation in the Political Process
 
March 6, 2009
 
ACTION NEEDED: Contact Senators George Voinovich and Sherrod Brown and urge them to cosponsor the Fair Elections Now Act. 
 
BACKGROUND:  Money-not qualifications or political ideology or constituent representation-has emerged as the primary qualifier for achieving public office.  In 2006, the average House and Senate incumbent raised $1.3 million and $11.3 million respectively.  That means that current congressional representatives and senators must raise up to $5,000 per day, each and every day of their term in office. 
 
Based on LWVUS' position on Campaign Finance (adopted 1974; revised March 1982), LWVO, LWVUS and Leagues around the country are advocating a voluntary public financing system for congressional candidates.  Such a system would help ensure open and honest elections, maximize citizen participation in the political process, reduce undue influence by wealthy special interests and enable candidates to compete more equitably for public office.  In addition, LWVO and LWVUS are working with Americans for Campaign Reform, a national group dedicated to public financing federal campaigns. For more information about public funding of elections, visit them at www.youstreet.org .
 
The time is right to act.  The Fair Elections Now Act will soon be introduced in the U.S. Senate by Dick Durbin (D - IL) and Senator Arlen Specter (R - PA).  It provides candidates the opportunity to qualify for a set amount of public money to run their campaigns if they agree to take only small donations. It is principally modeled on laws working well in Arizona, Connecticut, Maine, North Carolina and elsewhere.
 
Contact Senators George Voinovich and Sherrod Brown and urge them to cosponsor the Fair Elections Now Act.
 
KEY TALKING POINTS: The Fair Elections Now Act will...
1.  Give voters more choices because of an increase in first-time candidates and those willing to take on incumbents who traditionally are better funded.
 
2.  Level the playing field so candidates compete on their character, not their bank accounts.
 
3.  Decrease the time both new candidates and incumbents spend fundraising and increase the time they speak to voters.
4.  Decrease the influence of wealthy special interests and halt the skyrocketing cost of campaigns.
And public funding is already working in Arizona, Maine and Connecticut, as well as in New York City and many other municipalities.
 
WHEN: By March 12, 2009,
 
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Senator George Voinovich:  (202) 224-3353 (Washington office)
 
Senator Sherrod Brown (202) 224-2315 (Washington office)
 
HELP LWVO TRACK YOUR ADVOCACY EFFORTS: We want to know how responsive members are to action alerts and how many calls are made to the Ohio Senate. If you take the action suggested, please let the state office know. Drop us an e-mail at HYPERLINK "mailto:leg@lwvohio.org" leg@lwvohio.org .
 
The League of Women Voters of Ohio, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.