Campaign finance reform

Each election cycle, politicians and political action committees (PACs) use various strategies to raise money in order to finance their campaigns. Campaign fundraising is a critical aspect of modern politics, as it provides the financial resources necessary to run competitive campaigns. However, fundraising practices can be subject to scrutiny and debate, as concerns about the influence of money in politics and the potential for undue influence on elected officials persist. As a result, campaign finance laws and regulations vary by jurisdiction and are designed to promote transparency and accountability in the fundraising and spending process.

In an ideal world, politicians and ballot measures that were popular would get the most donations. In reality, not all of us have the same capacity to donate to political campaigns  and those with lots of money can give a lot more. It is much easier for a candidate to raise a million dollars from a few wealthy donors than to get $10 from 100,000 donors. This gives those with deep pockets a greater ability to influence who gets elected and what laws get implemented. 

The corrupting influence of large donor campaign finance is a concern often raised in discussions about campaign finance reform and the role of money in politics. This influence can manifest in several ways:

1. Access and Influence: When large donors, including wealthy individuals, corporations, or special interest groups, contribute substantial sums to a political candidate or campaign, they often gain privileged access to politicians. This access can allow them to directly lobby and influence policy decisions, potentially receiving favorable treatment or consideration of their interests over those of the general public.
2. Policy Influence: Large donors can have a significant impact on policy-making. Politicians may be more inclined to support or advocate for policies that align with the interests of their major donors, even if those policies are not in the broader public's best interest. This can lead to policies that favor the wealthy or powerful at the expense of the rest of the population.
3. Campaign Spending: Candidates who rely on large donors may feel indebted to these contributors, which can lead to a focus on policies and actions that maintain or expand the flow of campaign funds. This focus on fundraising can detract from a candidate's ability to prioritize constituents' needs and concerns.
4. Inequality in Political Influence: The ability of a few wealthy donors or interest groups to exert substantial influence on the political process can exacerbate political inequality. It can lead to a situation where the views and interests of the wealthy and powerful are over-represented, while those of ordinary citizens are marginalized.
5. Corruption and Scandals: The influx of large campaign donations can create opportunities for corruption or the appearance of corruption. Politicians may be tempted to engage in unethical or illegal activities, such as bribery or quid pro quo arrangements, to secure large contributions.
6. Negative Perceptions: Even if all the above isn't happening, the mere perception that the political process is dominated by large donors can erode public trust in the political system. Citizens may become disillusioned and believe that their voices and concerns are not being heard, leading to decreased voter turnout and participation.

The Supreme Court's 2010 decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission had a significant impact on campaign finance in the United States. The case resulted in several changes to the laws that governed and regulated campaign contributions including:

• Expanding the ability of corporations and labor unions to engage in  political spending, particularly in the form of independent expenditures.
• Paved the way for the creation of "Super PACs" (super political action  committees). These political committees can raise and spend unlimited  amounts of money from individuals, corporations, and labor unions to  independently support or oppose political candidates.
• Significantly increased unregulated independent spending in elections. Wealthy  individuals, corporations, and interest groups began funneling large sums of money into Super PACs and other independent expenditure groups outside the boundaries of traditional campaign finance rules to influence the outcomes of elections.  

Campaign finance reform is a complex issue, and the "best" ideas can vary depending on one's perspective and goals. Nevertheless, there are several commonly proposed and widely debated ideas for campaign finance reform that aim to enhance transparency, reduce the influence of money in politics, and promote a fair and equitable electoral process. Here are some interesting reform ideas:

1. Ban or Restrict Super PACs: Consider restrictions on Super PACs or other independent expenditure groups, such as limiting their ability to accept contributions from corporations, labor unions, or wealthy individuals.
2. Campaign Spending Limits: Set reasonable spending limits for political campaigns to prevent excessive expenditures that can drown out the voices of less-funded candidates. These limits may vary based on the type of election (e.g., local, state, federal).
3. Contribution Limits: Implement or strengthen limits on individual and organizational contributions to political campaigns. These limits can prevent wealthy donors from exerting undue influence.
4. Public Financing of Campaigns: Provide public funds to qualified candidates who agree to specific spending limits and fundraising restrictions. Public financing can reduce candidates' reliance on wealthy donors and special interest groups.
5. Disclosure and Transparency: Enhance disclosure requirements to ensure that all contributions, including those to independent expenditure groups, are fully disclosed to the public in a timely manner. Require disclosure of "dark money" sources.
6. Prohibitions on Corporate and Union Spending: Revisit or strengthen regulations on direct corporate and union spending in elections, including restrictions on contributions to political candidates.
7. Real-Time Reporting: Mandate real-time reporting of campaign contributions and expenditures, allowing the public to track campaign finance activities more effectively.
8. Ethics Reforms: Combine campaign finance reforms with broader ethics and lobbying reforms to enhance overall transparency and accountability in government.
9. Constitutional Amendment: Pursue a constitutional amendment to overturn Supreme Court decisions like Citizens United and establish clearer rules for campaign finance.
10. Small-Dollar Donor Matching: Establish a system where small contributions from individuals are matched with public funds at a set ratio. This encourages candidates to focus on grassroots fundraising and broadens the donor base.
11. Campaign Finance Vouchers: Provide voters with campaign finance vouchers they can allocate to candidates or parties of their choice, promoting greater civic engagement and reducing the influence of big donors.
12. Capping or Reducing Independent Expenditures: Explore ways to limit the amount of money that independent expenditure groups can spend on behalf of or against candidates.
13. Election Security and Cybersecurity: Invest in cybersecurity measures to protect campaign financing systems from foreign interference and hacking.
14. Nonprofit Accountability: Address the role of tax-exempt nonprofit organizations in election spending by enforcing existing rules or implementing new regulations to prevent improper political activity.
15. Lifetime Bans for Former Members of Congress: Impose restrictions on former members of Congress becoming lobbyists or participating in lobbying activities to reduce the "revolving door" between government and special interests.

Here are some links that can tell you more about gerrymandering:

• Reform Money in Politics - Brennan Center for Justice
• Campaign Finance Reform = Brookings / Thomas E. Mann
• Campaign Finance - Common Cause
• How Does the Citizens United Decision Still Affect Us? - Campaign Legal Center