Maine, Seattle Voters Pass Money-In-Politics Reforms

Voters in Maine and Seattle approved initiatives Tuesday to raise the voices of ordinary people in the political process and reduce the influence of wealthy special interests. These victories show that states and cities aren’t waiting on a gridlocked Washington, D.C. to fix our broken campaign finance system and are instead taking matters into their own hands, said money-in-politics group Every Voice.

In Maine, by a vote of 55%-45%, voters approved an initiative to strengthen the state’s landmark Clean Elections system that will strengthen disclosure and enforcement requirements and restore the small-donor public financing system, so candidates can run competitive campaigns for office. Mainers voted to preserve the nation’s most blue-collar legislature and ensure that farmers, waitresses, and factory workers are still able to run and win elected office without having to rely on lobbyists and wealthy special interests.

“Today Mainers sent a message loud and clear. We want transparency. We want a government accountable to everyday people. And, we want a strong public financing Clean Election law that puts voters in control of our democracy – not wealthy special interests and high paid lobbyists. With tonight’s victory – that’s exactly what we will get,” said Andrew Bossie, Executive Director of Maine Citizens for Clean Elections, who along with Mainers for Accountable Elections lead a massive statewide grassroots effort to pass the initiative.

CLICK HERE for more information about The Maine Clean Election Act (MECA).

Across the country in Seattle, where they have all-mail ballots, early results show Initiative 122 will easily cruise to victory. Voters there said “Yes” to creating a first-in-the-nation system that will democratize city elections by giving every voter a chance to invest in political campaigns through a “Democracy Voucher” program. The initiative also limits contributions for city contractors, closes the revolving door, and increases transparency and accountability.

CLICK HERE for more information about Initiative 122's Democracy Voucher system.











NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker