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ADVOCACY
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Clean Elections Press Clippings
LWVNJ Executive Director testifies
in front of Assembly State Government Committee
Clean Elections: Time
to go full throttle
Assembly
panel backs expansion of public funding
LWV
testifies on election reform
Coalition
to urge more 'clean elections'
New coalition to fund Clean Elections program
Corzine has no plans to fund Clean Elections program in 2009
Clean Elections must be funded
Says Obi-John McCainobi: These Aren't the Lobbyists You're Looking For
Fair and Clean Elections Resources
Listen
to the Assembly State Government Committee meeting (June 12, 2008) on
Clean Elections
2007
Fair and Clean Elections Report
A-100,
"2009 New Jersey Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project Act"
Election Law Enforcement Commission
(ELEC)
Why New Jersey Needs Fair and Clean Elections
Clean Elections is a model of voluntary public financing of legislative
elections. Participating candidates need to collect a certain number
of small contributions from registered voters in their district. These
candidates are not allowed to accept campaign contributions from lobbyists
and large campaign donors, are subject to campaign spending limits,
and can only spend Clean Elections grant money. Candidates must also
participate in at least two "Clean Elections" debates in their
district.
These regulations reduce the influence of money in politics. Because
candidates can only accept small contributions from registered voters
and must refuse contributions from other sources, the candidate is indebted
to the voter and not a special interest group. Small contributions also
level the playing field so that candidates without wealthy backers can
compete. Clean Elections encourages more voter participation by putting
contributions in the hands of voters, encouraging candidates to go door
to door to collect donations, and requiring the candidates to participate
in debates to give voters a chance to hear their views on issues.
Ultimately New Jersey Fair and Clean Elections makes campaigns about
voters and the issues, not lobbyists and campaign donors.
The Goals of New Jersey Fair and Clean Elections*
- To end the undue influence of special interest money.
- To improve the unfavorable opinion of the political process held
by many citizens.
- To level the playing field by allowing ordinary citizens (especially
women, minorities, and persons of modest means) to run for office,
share a message, be competitive, and win elections.
- To reduce campaign spending .
- To provide more time for candidates to communicate with voters by
reducing private fundraising.
- To increase voter turnout.
- To stimulate voter involvement by encouraging small contributions
from individuals.
- To reduce the number of uncontested elections.
- To end negative campaigning.
- To prevent out-of-state money from affecting New Jersey elections.
*As reported in the 2007 Fair and Clean Elections Report compiled
by ELEC
The 2005 Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Program
The 2005 pilot called for 2 legislative districts to participate in the program,
the 6th and the 13th, for the General Assembly candidates in the General
Election. The candidates participating could qualify for public funds
by collecting 1,000 $5 contributions and 500 $30 contributions from voters.
However, in 2005 only one of five pairs of Assembly candidates met the
contributions met to qualify.
The 2007 Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Program
The problems and complications that occurred during the 2005 program helped draft
a pilot program for 2007. The districts were expanded to include 3 districts,
the 14th, 24th, and 37th, General Assembly candidates as well as State
Senate candidates, and the amount needed to qualify was reduced to between
400 and 800 contributions of $10 only from registered voters in the candidates'
districts. The 2007 pilot also included a large education initiative,
including television and radio advertisements, brochures, and a citizen
friendly web site, to inform voters about the Clean Elections program.
Ultimately, the 2007 pilot was considered a success. Sixteen of the twenty
candidates participating qualified for public funds.Voters were more aware
of the program, and therefore more inclined to contribute, thanks to educational
efforts made by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, participating
candidates, and citizen interest groups such as The League of Women Voters
of New Jersey Education Fund, NJ Citizen Action, and many others.
2009 Fair and Clean Elections
The success of the 2007 program has encouraged the expansion of the program for
2009. The 2009 program’s revisions will be based on testimony given by
those participating in the 2007 program (candidates and outside groups).
Such recommendations include expanding the number of districts, reducing
the amount of publicly funded money to run campaigns, including primaries,
and awarding equal funding for third party candidates.
Next Steps
The League of Women Voters of New Jersey is a part of the New Jersey Clean Elections Coalition. The Coalition supports:
1. A Clean Elections program that permanently expands to all 40 legislative districts.
2. A Clean Elections program that provides full campaign financing for primary and general elections.
3. A Clean Elections program that provides equal funding to all qualified candidates.
4. A Clean Elections program that provides adequate resources for program implementation and public education.
5. A Clean Elections program that includes proper enforcement to protect public funds.
Please support the League's efforts to clean up New Jersey elections by donating to the League. We can only do this and other advocacy initiatives with help from you! Donate securely online now!
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