Oregon voters: It’s time to get money tied to special interest groups out of the election process. Measures 46 and 47, on this year’s state ballot, offer Oregon voters an chance to become a national leader in campaign finance reform. Oregonians should seize this opportunity by voting “Yes” on ballot measures 46 and 47 this November.
Measure 46 would amend the Oregon Constitution to allow laws to be passed or amended that would put a limit on campaign contributions, with the intent of stifling the opportunity for those with deep-pockets to influence election outcomes with huge contributions.
That measure would open the door for Measure 47, which would actually revise the Oregon law itself to limit contributions.
Donations to political campaigns by corporations, labor unions and other organized donors mar the political process in the state and national areas. Large organizations have been able to essentially “buy” favored treatment from elected officials with large campaign donations. We have seen striking examples of these inappropriate relationships in the lobbying scandals that have permeated Washington for the past few years. The scandalous antics of Jack Abramoff, Tom DeLay, Randall Cunningham and the like are reasons for campaign finance reform. We need to separate the interests of business and the interests of government. They are not one in the same.
Measures 46 and 47 would represent a critical step in curbing donations from parties with large, business-related interest in the state electoral process. The passing of these measures would also will bring campaign finance reform to the attention of national lawmakers.
We support these ballot measures in their efforts to bring transparency to political campaigns. Politicians should represent the interests of voters, not corporations and labor unions. Should these measures pass, politicians running for state offices (not national Senate or House seats) would be forced to build their campaign’s clout on issues, rather than fundraising.
Ballot Measure 46 would require a three-fourths majority of the state legislature to amend or change previously established campaign finance laws.
Opponents of this measure argue that it infringes on an entity’s right to free speech in the form of campaign donations. But by imposing limits on campaign donations, the playing field for state campaigns becomes level, allowing candidates to be elected on issues and polices, rather than fundraising and endorsements.
If Measure 46 passes, Measure 47 can then improve campaign finance reform in Oregon by limiting or prohibiting political donations from corporations and labor unions. Decreased campaign finance from these donors will encourage state campaigns rooted in voter-backed issues, rather than corporate or union-backed issues.
Measure 47 would also impose restrictions on individual donors, allowing them do donate no more than $500 per election for candidates running for statewide offices. Supporting this measure is a healthy step for both the Oregon and American democratic system, giving more power back to the voters by leveling the playing field for donations to the elections process.
These two ballot measures would bring much needed progress to the Oregon state political system by filtering out financial influence. The public should decide on which issues candidates run and serve, not corporations and unions; hence the term “public servant.” We strongly encourages Oregonians to vote “Yes” on Measures 46 and 47. They will begin to affect critical change in both the state and national arenas regarding campaign finance reform.