The Problem
Voters say that campaigns are too expensive; special interests have too
much influence; good candidates without money or connections to special
interests don't have a fair chance of competing for office; and, politicians
spend too much time raising campaign money instead of devoting their full
energies to the duties of public office.
Five Principles of Real Campaign Finance Reform:
|
Problem |
CMCR Solution |
| Campaigns are too
expensive |
Limits campaign
spending |
| Too much
special-interest influence |
Prohibits
special-interest contributions to participating candidates |
| Candidates and
lawmakers spend too much time chasing money |
Eliminates need
for fundraising |
| Good people don't
have a fair chance to compete |
Provides a
financially level playing field |
| Large
contributors are more important than individual voters |
Restores
principle of one person, one vote each with equal influence. |
The
Solution
The success of the state ballot initiatives has given greater energy and
focus to campaign finance reform efforts in more than a dozen states,
including North Carolina, Michigan, Missouri, and Washington state. Here in
Florida, we have partial public financing for Cabinet level offices, but new
soft money loopholes rendered Florida's public financing nearly meaningless.
Nearly $40 million was spent by political parties in the last election ? an
unbelievable sum. FCAN?s goal is to win Clean Money Campaign Reforms
for all state and Federal offices in Florida.
CMCR is strictly voluntary, in keeping with Supreme Court rulings, but the
proposal provides strong incentives for candidates to participate in the CMCR
system. CMCR candidates who voluntarily reject private money and limit their
spending receive a set amount of Clean Money from a publicly financed fund.
 |
The strictest
curbs on special-interest money and influence -- CMCR bans the use
of "soft money" to influence elections, discourages
electioneering efforts masquerading as non-electoral "issue
campaigns," provides additional funding to Clean Money candidates
targeted by independent expenditures, and, most important of all, allows
candidates to reject private contributions if they agree to participate
in the CMCR system. |
|
|
The greatest
reduction in the cost of campaigns -- Because it eliminates the need
for fundraising expenses and provides (to federal candidates) a
substantial amount of free and discounted TV and/or radio time, CMCR
requires candidates to spend less on campaigns than under any other
reform proposal. |
|
|
The most
competitive and fair election financing -- By providing limited but
equal funding for qualified candidates, and additional funding for CMCR
candidates if they are outspent by non-participating opponents, CMCR
enables qualified individuals to run for office on a financially level
playing field regardless of their economic status or access to large
contributors. |
|
|
An end to the
money chase, shorter elections, and stronger enforcement -- Clean
Money Campaign Reform frees candidates and elected officials from the
burden of continuous fundraising and thus allows public officials to
spend their time on their real duties. |
How Clean Money Campaign Reform Works
The CMCR approach is designed to provide a clear alternative to the current
system of raising and spending largely special-interest money to finance
election campaigns. It allows qualified candidates to run for public office
without compromising their independence since they won't have to ask for money
from those with a vested interest in public policy. The system is completely
voluntary and candidates who do not wish to participate are able to raise and
spend private money for their campaigns, as they do today.
Qualification
-- Candidates first must meet ballot access requirements, and then must meet the
eligibility threshold for Clean Money funding. Most CMCR proposals require
candidates to collect, during a pre-defined qualifying period, a prescribed
number of signatures and $5 qualifying contributions from registered voters in
their state or district.
Primary funding -- Candidates who meet CMCR requirements and agree not to
raise or spend private money during the primary and general election campaign
periods receive a set amount of money from the Clean Money fund. Federal
candidates also receive a prescribed amount of free and discounted TV and/or
radio time.
General election funding -- Candidates who win their party primaries and
qualifying independent candidates who agree to the voluntary restrictions
receive a set amount of general election funding from the Clean Money fund, as
well as additional free and discounted TV and/or radio time for federal
candidates.
Non-participating candidates and independent expenditures -- In order to
maintain a financially level playing field, Clean Money candidates who are
outspent by privately financed opponents, or targeted by independent
expenditures, are entitled to a limited amount of matching funds.
Contributions to FCAN Foundation support our research, public
education, and community organizing projects and are tax deductible.
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND
FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES AND
BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-HELP-FLA WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT
IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
