Fix Democracy First

Programs: In March, 2008, we achieved a legislative success:approval of a "local option" law (SSB 5278) that lifts a 16-year ban on using public funds for election campaigns at the local level. So now cities, counties, ports and PUDs can create programs of optional public financing for campaigns for local office.In the past, Seattle offered public financing to candidates for city council races ? and the program was successful through five election cycles. But in 1992, voters statewide approved Initiative 134 ? touted as "campaign finance reform" but which contained fine print that outlawed using public funds in any way for state and local campaigns ? a ban that has now ended.With approval of the local option law, WPC has begun working with several local cities and counties to design and establish "Voter-Owned Elections" programs, whereby candidates running for local office could choose to run their campaign on public funds, agreeing to abide by spending limits, to accept no further private contributions and to use no more of their own money. In exchange they receive funding sufficient to run a credible campaign. The 2008 local option law requires that any public financing program created by local government be submitted to voters in a referendum, for their approval before it can go into effect. (See "Voter-Owned Elections Programs for Cities and Counties: Opportunity and Design" PDF)With WPC's urging and participation, the Seattle City Council established an advisory committee to design and recommend an updated public financing program (See Seattle Resolution PDF). Similarly in Olympia, WPC's Thurston County chapter designed and submitted a proposed Voter-Owned Elections program to the city council, which has referred the matter to committee for recommendations as to next steps. And we're consulting with leaders in Spokane, King County, the Seattle Port Commission, Pierce County/Tacoma and elsewhere, all of whom are exploring the opportunities now available to establish public financing for local races.