Why Clean Money?

 Clean Money (Publicly Financed Election Campaigns)

What's the Problem?

• Political campaigns are very expensive. If you're not rich, you have to take money from special interest contributors, who want something in return.
• Voters are cynical about big money in politics and are discouraged from voting.
• Candidates with "grassroots" support don't have a chance to compete.

How Clean Money Works

• Clean Money is an alternative way for a candidate to finance a campaign for a statewide or legislative office using public funding.
• Clean Money is voluntary. Candidates qualify for funding by collecting a fixed number of qualifying signatures along with a $5 donation from registered voters in the contested district.
• Clean Money candidates agree to take no private contributions for their campaigns.
• Clean Money candidates receive sufficient public funds to run a competitive campaign. If they are outspent by privately financed candidates, they receive matching funds up to 5 times the original Clean Money grant.

Clean Money Advantages

• Clean Money has been effective in Arizona and Maine since the 2000 elections. In a statewide poll, 2/3 of Arizonans support their Clean Money system.
• Clean Money levels the playing field so candidates who are not rich or well connected can run for office. States with Clean Money campaign financing have more women and minority candidates, higher voter turnout, and lower overall campaign expenditures.
• Officeholders elected with Clean Money can focus on their official duties instead of constantly engaging in fundraising. They have time to talk to voters instead of lobbyists, and they represent the voters, not special-interest contributors.
• Apparent conflicts of interest are inevitable when public officials act on issues that their large contributors have an interest in. Clean Money reform will restore confidence in our elected officials.
• Officials elected with Clean Money will make better public policy, free from pressure to provide tax breaks, relaxed regulations, and special favors to large contributors. That will save us money.

How Can we Get Clean Money in California?

• The California Clean Money Campaign is a non-partisan organization working to bring public financing to all statewide elections in California. See their web site, www.CAClean.org for the latest information.
• Clean money bills have been introduced in the legislature. The most recent is AB 583, the California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act of 2005. Let your legislators know that you support Clean Money.
• If the legislature doesn't act, we will start an initiative campaign. Clean Money laws came to Arizona and Maine through initiative campaigns.