Voter-Owned Elections The people deserve to Be Heard

democracyNORTH CAROLINAOf, by and for the

people

Voter-Owned Voter-Owned ElectionsElections

The people deserve to The people deserve to

Be HeardBe Heard


people

Democracy North Democracy North CarolinaCarolina

Democracy North Carolina is a nonpartisan organization that uses research, organizing, and advocacy to increase voter participation, reduce the influence of big money in politics and achieve a government that is truly of the people, for the people and by the people.

Voter-Owned Elections are vital

to building a government that

answers to the people.


people


Elected officials are beholden to the

PEOPLE instead of to big donors.

Public policies are driven by the

PEOPLE, not by special interests

PEOPLE can run for office without special interest

backing.

A way for the people to be heard

at every step.

Candidates can concentrate on the issues important to

the PEOPLE.


people

Why We Need VOE Why We Need VOE NowNow

We must restore the integrity of our We must restore the integrity of our government and electoral system:government and electoral system: We must fight We must fight ethical corruptionethical corruption triggered triggered

by big money politics. by big money politics.

We must We must protect the voice of the peopleprotect the voice of the people in in the wake of the wake of Citizens United.Citizens United.

We must ensure We must ensure the public’s interestthe public’s interest is is respected during major policy debates.respected during major policy debates.


people

Is money in Is money in politics really politics really a problem?a problem?


people

The Problem Is RealThe Problem Is Real The high cost of public office is eroding The high cost of public office is eroding our democracy:our democracy:

Potential candidatesPotential candidates are opting not to run, are opting not to run, robbing voters of choice in leadership. robbing voters of choice in leadership.

DonorsDonors feel pressured to give big sums and many feel pressured to give big sums and many want something in return for their “investment.” want something in return for their “investment.”

CitizensCitizens see how policy is skewed by special see how policy is skewed by special interests and lose confidence in government.interests and lose confidence in government.


people

Rising Costs in North Rising Costs in North CarolinaCarolina

Total dollars spent running for both houses of the Total dollars spent running for both houses of the NC General Assembly in Presidential election years:NC General Assembly in Presidential election years:

$6,147,426

$16,364,049

$22,370,929

$26,445,400$27,800,202

$0

$5,000,000

$10,000,000

$15,000,000

$20,000,000

$25,000,000

$30,000,000

1992 1996 2000 2004 2008

Source: The Program On Public Life


people

The Problem Is The Problem Is SystemwideSystemwide

$ 17.7$ 17.7millionmillion







people

Whose voice is being Whose voice is being heard?heard?

The typical NC campaign contributor:The typical NC campaign contributor:

97% are white.97% are white. 73% are men.73% are men. 81% have annual incomes 81% have annual incomes

exceeding $100,000.exceeding $100,000.

Less than 1% of North Carolina gives 90% of ALL campaign contributions in the state.


people

Whose voice is shaping policy Whose voice is shaping policy debate?debate?

Top industries contributing dollars to federal level Top industries contributing dollars to federal level candidates from NC during 2008:candidates from NC during 2008:

Legal Real

Estate Educa-

tion Health-

care

Comm.

Banks Misc.

Finance

Business

Services Pharma-

ceutical

$0

$1,000,000

$2,000,000

$3,000,000

$4,000,000

Source: Center for Responsible Politics


people

Whose voice is shaping policy Whose voice is shaping policy debate?debate?

Top industries contributing dollars to federal level Top industries contributing dollars to federal level candidates from NC in the first Quarter of 2010:candidates from NC in the first Quarter of 2010:

Electric

Utilities

Legal Steel Health-

care Account-

ants

Real

Estate Tobacco Pharma-

ceutical

$0

$100,000

$200,000

$300,000

$400,000

$500,000

$600,000

Source: Center for Responsible Politics


people

The Power of Special The Power of Special InterestsInterests

2008 donations to NC campaigns:2008 donations to NC campaigns:

These are donations to federal candidates and political These are donations to federal candidates and political parties only: state level candidates added even more! parties only: state level candidates added even more!

Lawyers/Law Firms $ 2,752,813

Real Estate $ 1,920,982

Education $ 1,616,590

Health Professionals $ 1,298,423

Commercial Banks $ 1,207,582

Pharmaceuticals/Health Products $ 988,668

Business Services $ 967,428

Tobacco $ 80,820


people

WHYWHY do PACs give so much?do PACs give so much? Top 10 PAC’s in North Carolina:Top 10 PAC’s in North Carolina:

NC Realtors AssociationNC Realtors Association

Citizens for Higher Citizens for Higher Education Education

NC Medical SocietyNC Medical Society

NC Home Builders NC Home Builders Association Association

Academy of Trial LawyersAcademy of Trial Lawyers

Progress EnergyProgress Energy

Bank of AmericaBank of America

Nationwide InsuranceNationwide Insurance

NC Hospital AssociationNC Hospital Association

Duke EnergyDuke Energy


people

The Cost Of Special The Cost Of Special InterestsInterests

A case in point A case in point – the powerful NC pollution lobby: the powerful NC pollution lobby:

Donates $10,000 for every $100 donated by pro-environmental PACs.

Supports dozens of lobbyists in Raleigh. Not only influences legislation affecting the

environment – sometimes they WRITE it.

Who pays for the clean-up and health costs triggered by pollution? NC taxpayers.


people

The Cost Of Special InterestsThe Cost Of Special InterestsA case in point A case in point – Duke Energy: Duke Energy:

Its senior executives and PAC have given nearly Its senior executives and PAC have given nearly $750,000 to NC candidates since 2005. $750,000 to NC candidates since 2005.

Duke Energy’s PAC ranks each year as one of the Duke Energy’s PAC ranks each year as one of the top 5 company-sponsored PACs in NC.top 5 company-sponsored PACs in NC.

Duke gives this money even as it seeks favorable Duke gives this money even as it seeks favorable treatment on controversial energy policies.treatment on controversial energy policies.

The resulting policies affect public health, the The resulting policies affect public health, the economy and the environment.economy and the environment.


people

We Pay the Price In We Pay the Price In Other WaysOther Ways

Fundraising overshadows the issues: Fundraising overshadows the issues: we we don’t know where candidates stand.don’t know where candidates stand.

People lose confidence in government: People lose confidence in government: power cedes to special interests.power cedes to special interests.

Special interests get large tax breaks: Special interests get large tax breaks: state state revenues suffer.revenues suffer.

Fewer people run for office: Fewer people run for office: without new without new leadership, nothing ever changes. leadership, nothing ever changes.


people

The Consensus Is ClearThe Consensus Is ClearAn April 2010 poll showed:An April 2010 poll showed:

91% of North Carolinians believe campaign contributors 91% of North Carolinians believe campaign contributors influence public policy decisions.influence public policy decisions.

80% of NC voters believe the high cost of campaigning 80% of NC voters believe the high cost of campaigning keeps qualified candidates from running for office. keeps qualified candidates from running for office.

80% also believe that state lawmakers listen more to 80% also believe that state lawmakers listen more to groups that fund their campaigns than to voters. groups that fund their campaigns than to voters.

71% of all NC voters favor a major overhaul to the 71% of all NC voters favor a major overhaul to the state’s campaign finance system.state’s campaign finance system.


people

What can be done to What can be done to change the way we change the way we

elect leaders?elect leaders?


people

Support Voter-Owned Support Voter-Owned ElectionsElections

What are Voter-Owned Elections?What are Voter-Owned Elections?

Voluntary programs that provide money to candidates Voluntary programs that provide money to candidates running for specific offices.running for specific offices.

Strict program requirements ensure only truly viable Strict program requirements ensure only truly viable candidates qualify to receive program funds. candidates qualify to receive program funds.

Qualifying candidates receive program grants in Qualifying candidates receive program grants in exchange for accepting spending limits.exchange for accepting spending limits.

Sometimes called Fair Elections, Clean Elections or Sometimes called Fair Elections, Clean Elections or Public Campaign Financing.Public Campaign Financing.


people

VOE Lets The People Be VOE Lets The People Be HeardHeard

Who decides who runs for office?Who decides who runs for office?

THE VOTERS OF NORTH CAROLINA THE VOTERS OF NORTH CAROLINA

Who decides what candidates talk about?Who decides what candidates talk about?

THE VOTERS OF NORTH CAROLINATHE VOTERS OF NORTH CAROLINA

Who are officials accountable to?Who are officials accountable to?


Whose interests do policies reflect?Whose interests do policies reflect?



people

Other Benefits of VOEOther Benefits of VOE Proven alternativeProven alternative / ruled constitutional. / ruled constitutional.

Widespread, bi-partisan public support.Widespread, bi-partisan public support.

Opens doorsOpens doors for more candidates. for more candidates.

Enforces accountability.Enforces accountability.

Makes roomMakes room for real policy debate. for real policy debate.

Strengthens democracyStrengthens democracy by eliminating by eliminating conflicts of interest and restoring confidence.conflicts of interest and restoring confidence.


people

Embraced By Voters & Embraced By Voters & PoliticiansPoliticians

June Atkinson, North CarolinaSuperintendent of Public Instruction

“[With Voter-Owned Elections] the voice of the voter who has just $10 to contribute speaks as strongly as the one with $4,000 in races without public

financing.”


people

How does a How does a Voter-Owned Voter-Owned

Elections programElections programwork? work?


people

How a VOE Program How a VOE Program WorksWorks

Step 1:Step 1: Candidate decides to seek public Candidate decides to seek public funds. VOE programs are voluntary.funds. VOE programs are voluntary.

Step 2:Step 2: Candidate proves he or she is a Candidate proves he or she is a viable candidate. viable candidate.

Step 3:Step 3: Qualifying candidates receive a Qualifying candidates receive a program grant to fund his or her campaign. program grant to fund his or her campaign.

Step 4:Step 4: Candidates must abide by strict Candidates must abide by strict program rules and return unused funds. program rules and return unused funds.


people

VOE Candidate VOE Candidate StandardsStandards

Strict program rules protect the public trust Strict program rules protect the public trust and the program’s integrity:and the program’s integrity:

Small donor thresholds must be met to qualify.Small donor thresholds must be met to qualify.

Private fundraising after qualifying is prohibited.Private fundraising after qualifying is prohibited.

Large donations from individuals and PAC’s are Large donations from individuals and PAC’s are prohibited prohibited at all times.at all times.

Candidates may only use a limited amount of their Candidates may only use a limited amount of their personal money personal money beforebefore qualifying. qualifying.


people

How do we pay How do we pay for Voter-Owned Elections?for Voter-Owned Elections?


people

Funding Varies With The Funding Varies With The ProgramProgram

No tax increase is necessary:No tax increase is necessary:

Programs can be paid for through fees on Programs can be paid for through fees on companies doing business with the state. companies doing business with the state.

Some VOE program proposals call for voluntary Some VOE program proposals call for voluntary funding by non-public sources.funding by non-public sources.

A penny per day per adult in NC would cover the A penny per day per adult in NC would cover the cost for cost for allall state level races. state level races.

Just closing Just closing somesome tax loopholes would also pay tax loopholes would also pay for VOE for for VOE for allall state level races. state level races.


people

VOE Can Even Enhance VOE Can Even Enhance RevenuesRevenues

Special interest tax breaks are reduced. Special interest tax breaks are reduced.

Special interest legislation is reduced.Special interest legislation is reduced.

……each year, each year, millions in special millions in special tax breaks are tax breaks are granted to big granted to big campaign donors in campaign donors in our state. Closing our state. Closing those loopholes those loopholes would bring would bring millions into our millions into our

state’s coffers. state’s coffers.


people

North CarolinaNorth Carolinais a national is a national

VOE leaderVOE leader


people

VOE in North VOE in North CarolinaCarolina

Programs are being implemented at the Programs are being implemented at the state and local levels.state and local levels.

The N.C. Public Campaign Fund for NC Supreme The N.C. Public Campaign Fund for NC Supreme Court and Court of Appeals judges began in 2004.Court and Court of Appeals judges began in 2004.

A Council of State program covering 3 offices was a A Council of State program covering 3 offices was a huge success when it debuted in 2008.huge success when it debuted in 2008.

A local pilot program began in Chapel Hill in 2009 A local pilot program began in Chapel Hill in 2009 and proved successful. and proved successful.


people

The Power of VOEThe Power of VOEThe Insurance Commissioner’s race proved VOE The Insurance Commissioner’s race proved VOE reduces special interest influence:reduces special interest influence:

192.2

31.2

0.00

50.00

100.00

150.00

200.00

20042008Special Interest Special Interest

Donations in Donations in ThousandsThousands

Special interest donations have plummeted.


people

The Power of VOEThe Power of VOEThe Insurance Commissioner’s race proved VOE The Insurance Commissioner’s race proved VOE can compete against the big money system:can compete against the big money system:

500

700

50100150200250300350400450500

Average $$ Contribution

20042008


people

The People Are Being The People Are Being HeardHeard

Wayne Goodwin, North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance

“[The VOE program] has engaged and involved a myriad of voters who never contributed or paid much attention to an Insurance Commissioner campaign before. Their involvement is great for democracy.”


people

VOE Is Gaining Steam VOE Is Gaining Steam NationallyNationally

Statewide and local VOE programs now exist in six states, with all Statewide and local VOE programs now exist in six states, with all programs proving successful.programs proving successful.

NC’s U.S. Rep. Walter Jones is a primary sponsor of a federal NC’s U.S. Rep. Walter Jones is a primary sponsor of a federal public campaign financing bill called the “Fair Elections Now Act” public campaign financing bill called the “Fair Elections Now Act” for Congressional races. for Congressional races.

Other NC co-sponsors of the federal bill include Rep. G.K. Other NC co-sponsors of the federal bill include Rep. G.K. Butterfield, Rep. Larry Kissell, Rep. Brad Miller, Rep. David Price, Butterfield, Rep. Larry Kissell, Rep. Brad Miller, Rep. David Price, and Rep. Mel Watt.and Rep. Mel Watt.

Citizens UnitedCitizens United has inspired growing support for VOE across the has inspired growing support for VOE across the United States.United States.


people

What’s What’s ahead for ahead for

VOE? VOE?


people

The Future of VOEThe Future of VOEOur 2010 Legislative Priorities:Our 2010 Legislative Priorities:

Expand VOE to include the other 5 Council of Expand VOE to include the other 5 Council of State agency races.State agency races.

Allow other local governments to adopt VOE Allow other local governments to adopt VOE programs if a town’s citizens want VOE. programs if a town’s citizens want VOE.

Expand VOE to include pilot legislative races.Expand VOE to include pilot legislative races.

Support passage of the federal Fair Elections Support passage of the federal Fair Elections Now Act as soon as possible.Now Act as soon as possible.


people

Momentum Favors Momentum Favors VOEVOE

Ethical scandals have underscored the need Ethical scandals have underscored the need to to eliminate conflicts of interest.eliminate conflicts of interest.

Citizens United made many people realize Citizens United made many people realize the the voices of citizens are in danger.voices of citizens are in danger.

Recent policy debates have highlighted how Recent policy debates have highlighted how special interests corrupt the policy process.special interests corrupt the policy process.

Politicians are feeling the pressurePoliticians are feeling the pressure from from constituents and calling for reform.constituents and calling for reform.


people

BE HEARDBE HEARDSupport Voter-Owned Elections!Support Voter-Owned Elections!

Learn all you can about VOELearn all you can about VOE

Contact legislators: voice support for VOE.Contact legislators: voice support for VOE.

Educate others via workshops, seminars and Educate others via workshops, seminars and hand-outs.hand-outs.

Write letters to the editor: ask us how.Write letters to the editor: ask us how.

Check YES to the $3 N.C. Public Campaign Fund Check YES to the $3 N.C. Public Campaign Fund on your NC tax return.on your NC tax return.


people

For More For More Information:Information:

Democracy North CarolinaDemocracy North Carolina www.democracy-nc.orgwww.democracy-nc.org

NC Voters for Clean Elections NC Voters for Clean Elections CoalitionCoalition www.ncvce.orgwww.ncvce.org


people

Support Support


The people deserve to The people deserve to

Be Be HeardHeard

Voter-Owned Elections The people deserve to Be Heard

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Transcript of Voter-Owned Elections The people deserve to Be Heard