Idaho Deserves Fair Elections

What do the people want from their elections?

· Voters are frustrated with how much is spent on elections and how little competition there is for many state and federal offices.

· Voters want their government to be more open, honest and accountable and take into account the needs of all citizens, not just those interests with the most money.

· Many qualified potential candidates can’t afford expensive campaigns and they don’t have access to wealthy private interests.

· Candidates who do agree to run are forced to spend too much of their time raising money, instead of discussing the issues with voters.

· Citizens are concerned about the influence of campaign money on policies that affect their lives like health care, schools, taxes, economic development, public lands.

The current system of financing elections is broken!

There is a better way to finance campaigns. In several states, a model like the Fair Elections Option is very successful. It:

1. meets the reasonable expenses of a campaign,

2. preserves appropriate access by lobbying groups to governmental leaders,

3. supports the public’s expectation for level playing field of competition in elections, and

4. protects our government from loss of confidence due to the perception of undue influence.

It can work in Idaho, too!

What Does the Fair Elections Option Do?

Candidates who choose to voluntarily limit their spending and forego private fundraising, can qualify to receive a set amount of funds from a public trust fund to run a competitive campaign. To qualify, candidates must collect a minimum number of signatures and $5 contributions to the trust fund from voters within their district.

Why the Fair Elections Option works:

Comprehensive and cost effective. It provides a less expensive option for candidates to communicate with voters and reduces overall spending in elections.

Ensures equal access of people and ideas. Candidates who meet the qualifications to serve in public office are able to offer themselves and their ideas regardless of their personal wealth or access to wealth.

Strengthens our government’s focus on listening to all of the people. When freed from fundraising, elected officials have more time to devote to studying the complex issues brought before them and listening to all the people they represent.

Strengthens public confidence. When elected officials are no longer raising campaign money from private interests, they no longer worry about the perception that their decisions are tainted by where their campaign contributions come from.

Does not advantage one party over another. It provides a level playing field for all candidates regardless of their party affiliation. Democrats and Republicans have been elected in equal numbers under this system.

For more information contact United Vision for Idaho

P. O. Box 2181, Boise, ID 83701 / 208-331-7028 / www.uvidaho.org

How Elections Would Be Different

    Traditional, Privately-Funded Candidate                                  Fair Elections Option Candidate