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Fundrasing and Elections
by Keith Johnson
November 8, 2001

Dear Editor,

In looking through the election results for the state I can't find a single race in which the top fundraiser lost. This local pattern reflects a national trend that was apparent in the New York City mayoral race (Michael Bloomberg outspent Mark Green by about $40 million), the governor's races in Virginia and New Jersey.

If the top fundraiser always wins then the campaign contributors decide who governs. This is no way to run a democracy. I suggest two changes in how we conduct elections so that the impact of contributors will be reduced.

First, the Board of Elections in each county should prepare an official voter's guide for each election. The guide should be mailed to every registered voter in the county, and in it each candidate should get some space - one or two paragraphs - to make his/her case directly to the voters. Similarly the proponents and opponents for each ballot measure should have a chance to explain their positions to voters. In California the state auditor produces a financial analysis of each ballot measure which is included in the voter's guide.

Second, to help strengthen our democracy, television stations should (as a part of their FCC public service function) donate free airtime to candidates. The only requirement for this should be that the person is on the ballot. This way voters will get a chance to hear "minor" candidates who would ordinarily be unable to present their message on TV.

We have to do something to get money out of politics. Otherwise we will find ourselves with a government run by campaign contributors - if that isn't what we already have.