Winds of Change Newsletter, February 2006     See sidebar for table of contents

Proposed Campaign Financing Act Would Mean Clean Elections in WV

by Julie Archer

The WV Public Campaign Financing Act (S.B. 124) would create an alternative public financing option for candidates seeking election to the state Senate and House of Delegates. The system is voluntary and candidates who participate agree to abide by contribution and spending limits. Public funds would be made available to candidates in single-member districts beginning with the elections to be held in 2010, and to candidates in the remaining House districts beginning in 2012.

Public financing is an important step to reduce candidate reliance on special interest money and enable candidates who lack personal wealth or access to wealthy contributors to run a competitive campaign – paving the way for ordinary citizens to have a voice in the political process.

At least six other states have already adopted full public financing programs for some or all state offices, and several others are considering similar legislation. In Maine and Arizona, the nation’s two pioneering “clean elections” states, it is now the political norm to run for office free from direct dependence on private campaign contributions.

If West Virginia’s legislature passes S.B. 124, candidates for the statehouse could spend more time talking about issues instead of fund-raising. They could run on the merit of their ideas.

Incumbent legislators who opt to run under this “voter-owned” system would be free to vote their conscience – instead of feeling beholden to special interest contributors.

Public financing of elections is a sensible approach to changing the status quo and moving toward a government that is more honest, open and accountable to the needs of all its citizens, not just a select few who can afford to make big donations to candidates.