The Mercury Endorsement Article
Providing a level political playing field—and more transparency—should be considered as much a core city service as providing water, firefighters, and cops. That’s precisely the promise of Portland’s taxpayer-funded election system, and that’s the biggest reason why voters should say yes to keeping the system in place.
Willamette Week Endorsement Article
“The very existence of public campaign financing seems to have reduced big-time giving in privately funded campaigns because there’s a shame factor in sloshing around in $1,000 donations. All city bureaus must contribute to the campaign-financing fund.”
Skanner Endorsement:
26-108: Shall Portland provide public campaign financing to City candidates who meet qualifying requirements and are subject to additional regulatory oversight?
YES. Some people say voter-owned elections has not worked well – but we say if it brought us Commissioner Amanda Fritz, then it’s worth it.
Street Roots Endorsement Article
“Voter-Owned Elections mean people-powered elections, and people-powered elections mean the ability for all Portlanders to have a seat at the table — the same table that creates, implements and drives our community’s future. From our children and schools, to working families on the dime, to newcomers and old-timers alike, and people struggling in poverty — it’s people living out their everyday lives, it’s all of us. Everyday people with a common cause to make the city we live the best it can be.”
Oregonian — Guest Opinion
“With wealthy special interests playing a greater role in the country’s elections and politics, Portland’s successful voter-owned elections are a reform worth fighting for to make sure we all have an equal voice — and an equal vote — regardless of wealth or political power.”
Portland Tribune — Guest Opinion
“Most importantly, it brings people back to the center of politics where they belong. Voters benefit from the program because candidates are no longer forced to spend their time raising money from a small group of people who can write big checks. Instead, to win they have to spend their time talking and listening to voters. This means that candidates are accessible to voters, not special interests. Vote yes on Measure 26-108.”
Portland Tribune: Vote Tests City Election Bucks
“If 75 percent of my meetings are with wealthy people, trying to raise money, my perspective gets skewed,” says Francis, 50, a former river advocate who co-owns a North Portland environmental contracting company called EcoTech. “A lot of people who’d be good elected officials wouldn’t do it because they have such a strong distaste for that whole process.”
The Oregonian vs The Truth:
On October 7th, the Oregonian’s editorial on Voter-Owned Elections was published. Because the Oregonian has been against our reform program from the beginning, we weren’t expecting much. However, even we were shocked at how the editorial board ignored facts in favor of bias and what can only be described as forced ignorance.
Despite the clear evidence that we presented during our interview, the editorial board chose to ignore the results, and instead relied on canned talking points and recycled rhetoric.
That’s why it’s more important than ever to focus on what Voter-Owned Elections are all about: positive results for everyday Portlanders. Below are the simple truths to their misinformation.
From the Oregonian: “In five years, taxpayers have spent $1.7 million — with very little to show for it.”
The truth:
- Over five years, Portland taxpayers have spent 68 cents each year on Voter-Owned Elections
- Since the program began, overall campaign spending in local elections has been 8dramatically reduced
- The $5,000 and $10,000 contributions which were once commonplace have all but disappeared
- We’ve seen two Voter-Owned Elections candidates win in the three cycles that we’ve had the program
From the Oregonian: “Total cost to taxpayers to put Fritz on the council: $482,145.”
The truth:
- Total savings to taxpayers by having Amanda on the council: $500 million so far.
- In Amanda’s own words: “I worked it out, and for the 1,461 days that I will be in office, it’s $342,000 a day.” (http://wweek.com/editorial/3640/14385/)
- Commissioner Fritz ran her race without taking any money from special interests or big campaign donors. And as a nurse and a mother currently serving in City Hall, she represents everyday Portlanders with energy and enthusiasm.
Portland Leads, The Nation Follows – September 23rd 2010
Today, the Fair Elections Now Act received a historic vote in the House Administration Committee, winning approval so it is positioned for a vote on the House floor. Portland helped lead the way for this reform with adoption of Voter-Owned Elections in 2005.
Janice Thompson, Executive Director of Common Cause Oregon, enthusiastically drew the parallel between the national victory and the ongoing local battle for reform here. “Just as Common Cause Oregon and a growing group of coalition partners are working to retain Portland’s innovative Voter-Owned Elections by urging a “yes” vote on 26-108, Common Cause and a broad coalition has been working tirelessly to achieve this reform victory at the national level.”
Passing Fair Elections would allow members of both political parties to demonstrate that they understand the message sent by voters across the political spectrum in this year’s tumultuous primary season – Washington must change the way it does business.
Portland should be proud that it has already changed the way it does business by adopting Voter-Owned Elections. Each reform program is designed to fit the needs of its political jurisdiction, but like Portland’s program, the Fair Elections Now Act empowers small donors and provides limited public financing under strict rules for campaign spending.
Brian Rohter, co-founder of New Seasons Market and co-chair of the Friends of Voter-Owned Elections campaign spoke to the merits of the local program. “Portland’s Voter-Owned Elections demonstrate that it is possible to adopt reform with prompt and meaningful benefits to voters.” Rohter also sees the local program as important to the national debate. “Public financing in Portland and in Washington D.C. is a valuable investment in democracy, an investment that will be paid for many, many times over by reining in the influence of corporate interests that drive through policies that benefit their companies to the detriment of struggling everyday Americans.”
The cost of Voter-Owned Elections is capped at 0.2% of the city budget, the money does not come from new taxes or fees and it has been under budget each election cycle.
Just as the Fair Elections Now Act is the direction the country should go, Portlanders should retain its leadership in campaign finance reform and retain Voter-Owned Elections by voting “yes” on Measure 26-108.
Voter-Owned Elections Kicks off at High Mark – August 15th 2010
Nearly 200 people mark biggest city-wide campaign kickoff in recent memory
Portland – Nearly 200 people attended the Voter-Owned Elections Campaign Kickoff on Saturday at Dawson Park in North Portland. Speakers included Representative Ben Cannon, businesswoman Sattie Clark, and Kayse Jama, Executive Director of the Center for Intercultural Organizing.
“I can’t remember a kickoff with this many people, this much diversity or this much enthusiasm” said Rep. Cannon. “This campaign is off to a running start.”
The Friends of Voter-Owned Elections teamed up with the Bus Project, the League of Women Voters, and several other progressive organizations for a rally and canvass in several Portland neighborhoods. In addition to traditional supporters of this issue, VOIS Business Alliance, a sustainable business network, also joined the coalition along with businessman Brian Rohter, Co-Chair of the campaign and Co-Founder of New Seasons Market.
“We want to encourage more small business owners, people of color, and women to utilize this program. There are so many smart, dedicated people who want to serve their community but do not have access to the deep-pockets necessary to run for office,” said Rohter of Voter-Owned Elections.
Campaign volunteers knocked on about 6,000 doors on Saturday and plans are to continue the grassroots effort.
Voter-Owned Elections was passed in 2005 and will be on November’s ballot. The program requires candidates who choose to run under the program to show community support by collecting $5 contributions from 1,000 Portland Voters (1,500 voters for Mayoral candidates). Once they qualify, candidates are prohibited from spending or raising any money beyond the limited public financing they receive.