Thursday: D.C. Council Moves Toward Small-Donor Public Financing for District Elections
June 28, 2017
MEDIA ADVISORY
Thursday: D.C. Council Moves Toward Small-Donor Public Financing for District Elections
Committee Holds Hearing on Small-Donor Public Financing of Local Elections
WHAT: The D.C. Council’s Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety will hold a public hearing on the “Fair Elections Act of 2017,” a legislative proposal for establishing a system of small-donor public financing of local elections. Public Citizen’s Government Affairs Lobbyist Craig Holman will testify in support of the legislation.
Public Citizen is a member of DC Fair Elections, a broad coalition of residents and advocates from across the District of Columbia. The groups are committed to empowering voters by creating a program that will strengthen local democracy and limit the influence of big money in politics through public financing of elections.
WHEN: 9 a.m. EDT Thursday, June 29
WHO: Craig Holman, government affairs lobbyist, Public Citizen
WHERE: John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C.
KEY FACTS: Small-donor public financing systems, in which small-candidate campaign contributions are matched with public funds, effectively amplify the voice of average citizens in elections. Raising these voices enhances the value of small contributions to candidates and lawmakers, and provides plenty of campaign support to candidates. Shifting the donor base from wealthy special interests to average citizens, and make lawmakers more accountable to average citizens. D.C. elections frequently are tainted by scandal. The measure is supported by 10 of the 13 councilmembers.
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