How states are leading in the fight against big money in campaigns

in him 1907 State of the Union Address, President Teddy Roosevelt issued a bold call for action centered on the need for publicly funded political parties in response to years of political corruption. He proposed that Congress “appropriate the appropriate and justifiable expenses of each major political party” and ensure that parties receiving public funds do not receive more than a certain amount from private donors.

For more than a century since his Presidency, reform movements have focused primarily on Congress, but efforts to secure publicly funded campaigns have remained weak despite significant increases in political spending in U.S. elections. It ended in failure. This spending increased sharply after the Supreme Court ruling. Citizens United vs FEC The 2010 decision flooded elections with slush funds.

Fortunately, state and local governments aren’t waiting for Congress to take the lead in restricting big money in politics. The New York State Legislature is the most recent to adopt this bill. Statewide publicly funded small donor matching system This makes it possible for people of average means to run for office. To date, he has more than 300 candidates opting into the system, with active participation across party lines. The statewide system is new york city system, has been successfully funding campaigns for 20 years. In 2021, the New York City program played an important role. Help elect the most demographically representative council for the city: Representation of women doubled to 61 percent, representation of people of color increased from 51 percent to 67 percent, and 97 percent of those elected were recipients of public funds.

Additionally, Arizona, Connecticut, and Maine have employed various forms of publicly funded state-wide campaigns with success over the years.This year, the state Legislature Hawaii, Minnesota, Washington, and New Hampshire have all introduced bills to implement small donor programs in their states. These bills are the result of an organized movement and will be transformative if passed and signed into law.

States are not alone in moving toward transformative reforms. Cities and local governments are also joining the movement.

Evanston City Council overwhelmingly supported it last year. Passed the small donor matching system ordinance, a first for Illinois. Mayoral candidates can receive campaign contributions matched at a 9-to-1 ratio for contributions of up to $150 from Evanston residents. The result is not only that small donations are amplified by almost an order of magnitude, giving donors greater power, but also that candidates focus on interacting with individual voters rather than raising large sums of money from wealthy donors. You will be able to do it.

Evanston successfully implemented a matching funds system in 2023. Seattle’s voucher-based system A small-scale donor matching system introduced in 2015. Washington DC in 2018complete subsidy system Portland, Maine in 2022 and democracy dollar program Passed overwhelmingly in Oakland in 2022.

The county has also introduced a small donation system. In Maryland, montgomery countypassed the small donor match system in 2014, howard county 2017 and Anne Arundel County In 2023.

as a whole, 14 states and over 20 local governments Provide options for candidates to take advantage of a system designed to allow people of average means to run, eliminate the corrupting influence of large individual and corporate donations, and ensure that candidates and elected officials Be able to spend time interacting with people in a way that goes beyond simply asking for money.

This latter point is passionately and eloquently explained by the former. Maine State Senator Chloe MaxminMaine’s public financing program gives them time to talk to every voter in their district, and that very real, very human one-on-one interaction can make a huge difference in securing victory. admitted that he gave birth to

State and local governments are full of stories of candidates who have chosen match-for-money programs, vouchers and grants, and the impact these programs have had on their communities. For example, in Seattle, Voter turnout increased by 10% The 2019 election was compared to previous elections where there was no program.

Teddy Roosevelt knew in 1907 that it would take time for people to understand his proposal. In 2024, it’s clear that people across the country understand. And while states, cities, and local governments are listening to his words, we must continue to advocate for comprehensive reform at the federal level. If enough states act and enough cities and local governments embrace change, Congress will be forced to listen to him.

Matt Keller is a senior advisor at Democracy 21 and Kristin Wood is co-director of the American Democratic Union Declaration.