The road to 'cleaner' electoral campaigns is reaching its final stretch.  Advocates of getting private money out of political campaigns met at Oakland City Hall Saturday afternoon for one of many planned kick-offs in support of the California Fair Elections Act.

The California Fair Elections Act (CFEA), or Proposition 15, will appear on the June 8, 2010 ballot.  Long-time clean campaign advocate Loni Hancock authored the bill to put the issue on the ballot, which was signed by Schwarzenegger.  The proposition would make voluntary public financing available to candidates for the Secretary of State in 2014 and 2014.

A standing-room only crowd joined a panel that included Loni Hancock (State Senator, D-Oakland), Sandre' Swanson (Assemblymember, D-Alameda), Nancy Skinner (Assemblymember, D-Berkeley), Trent Lange (California Clean Money Campaign), Robert Gammon (Journalist, East Bay Express),  Liz Figerona (former State Senator), and Michael Lighty (California Nurses Association).

Jay Ashford, a volunteer coordinator for the campaign, began the session by throwing out a few (presumably) rhetorical questions:  "Are you concerned about the concentrated role of money in our politics? By the influence it has on our legislature? About the time officials take to raise money instead of working on the issues? About the recent Supreme Court decision?  Then you in the right room today."

Loni Hancock, moderator of the day's discussion, said, "This is the final push.  For this is the reform that makes all other reforms possible.  We can have a government that represents people."

The official summary of Proposition 15 reads: 

“Creates a voluntary system for candidates for Secretary of State to qualify for a public campaign grant if they agree to strict spending limits and no private contributions.  Each candidate demonstrating enough public support would receive the same amount.  Participating candidates would be prohibited form raising or spending money beyond the grant.  There would be strict enforcement and accountability.  Funded by voluntary contributions and by an annual fee on lobbyists, lobbying firms, and lobbyist employers."

Robert Gammon of East Bay Express laid out the major problems California faces with the millions of dollars in lobbyist and donor money pouring in--the expectation of special access on the part of donors, on the one hand, with the felt obligation to provide access on the part of the legislator; the corruption of the legislative process; the appearance of corruption, even when an elected official votes the way he wants to; and the problem of entrenched incumbents that scares off challengers who don't have the financial war-chests to compete.

Speaking of the effect enormous amounts of private fund-raising has on the public, Liz Figuerona said, "It's a shame that's all we know of candidates, how much they've raised, that it's the number one issue."  She added, "They put a very expensive wall around themselves to shelter themselves from the issues. It's a fence of dollars."

"The influence of special interests will be beyond the pale after the recent Supreme Court decision," Nancy Skinner added. 

"It is a fundamental question of democracy," Sandre Swanson said.

Trent Lange, Chair of the Campaign for Fair Elections, reminded the audience that publicly-funded campaigns are well-tested and based on a system already in place in Arizona, Maine, and Connecticut.  Lange said, "Across seven states and two cities, 400 candidates have been elected in 'clean' campaigns, with not a single dime of private money."

The goal of organizers now is to educate Californians about the proposition and its importance for other issues, then get them out to vote in June.  "One worry we have is low-turn out in June.  So we have to get organized, advocate and do outreach," said Hancock.

How Fair Elections Funding Would Work:

To Qualify: Candidates have to receive 7,500 $5 qualifying contributions and signatures from registered California voters to show that they have a broad base of support.

Fair Elections Candidates Receive: Enough baseline public funds to run competitive primary campaigns ($1,000,000). If they win their primary they receive enough baseline public funds to run competitive general election campaigns ($1,300,000).

“Fair Fight” Funds If Outspent: If Fair Elections Candidates are outspent by an opponent who does not participate or if independent groups attack them or support their opponent, they receive matching funds on a dollar for dollar basis within 24 hours to respond, up to total of 4 times the base amount, i.e. $4,000,000 in a primary and $5,200,000 in the general election.

Prohibitions for Participating Candidates: Candidates would be prohibited from raising or spending additional money beyond what they receive from the fund.

Strict Enforcement: Participating candidates must follow strict reporting requirements. Violatorswould face fines, possible jail time, and prohibitions from running for office in the future.

For more information, to see organizational supporters, and to get involved:

Yes Fair Elections

Facebook Page

Other state-wide kick-off events and grassroots meetings

There will a volunteer orientation and speaker training in Oakland on March 6, Saturday, Public Library--Rockridge, 2:30-5:00