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Money and Politics Electoral Reform and the Crisis of American Democracy The United States is experiencing a crisis of democracy. There is more money in politics than ever before, and special interest fundraising and spending have increased dramatically. People's faith in the political system has reached a new low and the vote counting debacles that decided the last presidential election have convinced thousands of citizens that their votes don't count and their voices are not being heard. At the same time, across the country Americans are responding to the crisis of democracy and to the disproportionate role of money in politics in general, and in election campaigns in particular with growing outrage and grassroots action. The are challenging the corrupting influence and unjust consequences of the current campaign finance system and working to replace it with a fairer and more democratic one. Under the alternative Clean Money/Clean Elections (CM/CE) system, candidates forego private contributions and agree to strict spending limits with fixed and equal financing from a publicly financed election fund. In four states-Maine, Vermont, Arizona, and Connecticut -CM/CE campaign finance reform laws have been passed (either by initiative or legislative vote,) and implemented. Several elections have been held in Maine, Vermont, and Arizona under the new Clean Election systems. The results herald the beginnings of a profound revitalization of American democracy. In Maine and Arizona, Clean Elections legislators make up half to three-quarters off the state legislature. <Back to top>

• "[Y]ou've given people who only have the capacity to give a $5 or $10 contribution the same voice as people who can give $500. You've leveled their playing field. I can spend my time cultivating people of all different socio-economic strata in this race," said State Senator Jarrett Barrios, who is currently working towards an effort to build consensus around a new Clean Elections law in Massachusetts.
• "Anytime I have an opportunity to speak to a group of women, I encourage them to run for office, and tell them that it is possible using Clean Elections," said four-term Arizona Representative Leah Landrum Taylor.
• "In my experience, women constituents like to see legislators who spend more time working on issues. Clean Elections has enabled me to do that," said Maine State Senate President Beth Edmonds
• "I have a core group…that literally spend every weekend during campaign season knocking on thousands of doors with me. Only through this type of hands-on campaigning can you truly allow your constituents to meet and know the candidate they're supporting,"said Arizona State Senator Rebecca Rios about how the Clean Elections law encourages grassroots campaigning since candidates must raise $5 donations from 200 or more voters to qualify for public funds.
• " Using public funds, you're more aware of what you're doing, of everything that you're spending and documenting it. It makes for cleaner elections," said Judge Wanda Bryant of North Carolina's Court of Appeals who ran in 2004 using Clean Elections.

In Vermont, Maine, and Arizona, campaign finance reform proved its effectiveness. The impact of these changes is also beginning to show in the way these new legislatures are operating. Maine overcame corporate opposition to pass major health care expansion. According to the bill's sponsors, the insurance industry's influence in the legislature this session diminished, and "a portion of that is due to Clean Elections." Developments like these present unique opportunities to increase the momentum for comprehensive reform, and to spread the message of the movement's successes to broader and more diverse audiences nationally.

Northeast Action's Money and Politics Program and Implementation Project ensured that campaign finance reform laws were passed in Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Arizona and Connecticut and work to ensure they are fully and fairly implemented and their lessons shared with activists across the country. Our Voting Rights Project has worked with affiliates to build grassroots support for fundamental state-based voting reform campaigns and to raise public awareness about voting rights issues.

Northeast Action has produced two recent publications examining the impact of clean elections. Contact us for copies, or download here.

Civil Rights & Publicly Funded Elections: Transforming Our Communities
Women. Legislators. Leaders: Women Speak Out in Support of Clean Elections

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