You Street's Dan Weeks analyzes the impact that campaign funding has on the outcome of congressional elections. Dan's findings are fascinating: While campaigns require a threshold amount of funding to be competitive, additional funding past this level has a very marginal impact on who wins.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: "Public funding" is a system of campaign finance in which the government provides all candidates who volunteer to participate and meet strict requirements with enough funds to run a credible, competitive election campaign. Public funding is already working in Arizona, Maine and Connecticut as well as in New York City and and many other municipalities. Find out more about state initiatives here.
Q: Why do we need public funding?
A: America's private money system of financing political campaigns distorts our nation's agenda, limits electoral competition, and undermines democratic values. It deprives our citizens of considering many of our finest leaders for high office. Money has emerged as the primary qualifier for achieving public office while wealthy special interests distort our national priorities through the purchase of governmental access and influence.
Q: Won't public funding be hugely expensive?
A: Actually, public funding is an incredibly good deal for taxpayers. Based on our careful analysis, funding every single race for the House, the Senate and the Presidency would cost each American citizen just $6 a year. Compare that to the hundreds of billions of dollars spent each year on "pork barrel" projects that representatives use to reward their wealthy contributors.
Q: Where will the money come from?
A: These funds will come out of the federal budget, either from the general fund or from revenue raised specifically to support public funding. A current proposal in the Fair Elections Now Act would pay for public funding with a spectrum fee on the use of public airwaves by private broadcasters, as they receive the majority of campaign funds in the form of paid advertising.Q: What will my contribution to You Street be used for?
A: We'll use your donations to keep spreading the word, building a grassroots movement for public funding and communicating how it can restore real democracy and integrity in our political process.
Q: Why should candidates for federal elections be funded with my tax dollars?
A: Well, they are your elections. And just look at where the current system of private funding has gotten us. Our politics and policies are dominated by special interests and big money, while the issues that affect the lives of everyday Americans go unsolved.
Q: Would public funding be mandatory?
A: Public funding is completely voluntary. Candidates who do not accept public funds may raise private funds or use their own money according to applicable laws. But those who opt in no longer have to rely on contributions from special interests, lobbyists or wealthy donors in order to run a successful campaign. And instead of spending so much valuable time raising money for the next race, those in office are able to devote their time to doing the people's business. Politicians in Maine, Arizona and Connecticut have opted into their state pubilc funding systems at incredibly high rates because the systems work for them, and because voters prefer to vote for publicly funded candidates.
Q: Can anyone apply for these funds?
A: Candidates who seek public funding will be required to demonstrate significant public support in the form of signatures and small donations.
Q: Didn't Obama's fund-raising undercut the whole idea of public funding?
A: Barack Obama's massive success with small donors remains the exception, rather than the norm. And we believe the critical place to focus is Congress: on average, incumbents currently raise about 70% of their campaign contributions from special interests, lobbyists and PACs (Political Action Committees). This is where big money really exerts its influence over legislation and policy. This is where voluntary public funding can have its most dramatic impact.
Obama remains a staunch advocate of public funding despite turning it down during his presidential bid because he believed that the funding levels authorized by Congress were not adequate. As a Senator, Obama was a co-sponsor of the Fair Elections Now Act, and as President he will have a tremendous opportunity to help pass this robust public funding legislation. (Click here to see a video of Senator Obama stating his support.) Like Obama, we are working hard to make sure the voices of average citizens are heard; the legislation we support rewards candidates who gather support from many small donors by matching them by as much as 5 dollars to 1.
Q: Where is public funding already working?
Public funding has already been enacted in several states and localities, where it is delivering on its promise to increase competition, restore public confidence and reduce campaign costs. These include:
- Arizona - Legislative and Statewide Offices
- Maine - Legislative and Statewide Offices
- Connecticut - All State Offices
- North Carolina - Judicial Elections
- Alubquerque, New Mexico - City Elections
- New York City - City Council
- Portland, Oregon - City Elections
Click here to read about the success public funding has had on the state level.
Q: How can we make public funding happen?
A: By asking Congress and the President to pass public funding legislation.