Money in Politics

Democracy is Not For Sale

LWVMN supports campaign finance regulations that enhance political equality for all citizens, ensure transparency, protect representative democracy from distortion by undisclosed contributions and big money, and combat corruption and undue influenced in government. We also support public financing, full disclosure, abolishing SuperPACs, and creating an effective enforcement agency.

 
 
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LWV United States Position

Campaign finance regulation should enhance political equality for all citizens, ensure transparency, protect representative democracy from distortion by big money, and combat corruption and undue influence in government.

The League believes that campaign spending must be restricted but not banned. The League supports public financing, full disclosure, abolishing SuperPACs and creating an effective enforcement agency. 

Money in Politics Flyer

Transparency through Disclosures and Disclaimers

LWVMN supports the public's right to know who is using money to influence elections. Mandatory, timely, uniform, and complete reports of campaign contributions and expenditures should be made to a central authority responsible for disseminating such information to the public. Currently, that authority is the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board. 


Public Financing that Empowers Small Donors

LWVMN supports the public financing of elections in which candidates must abide by reasonable spending limits. LWVMN believes that our campaign finance system should combat political corruption. Political corruption includes:

  • A candidate or officeholder agrees to vote or work in favor of a donor's interests in exchange for a campaign contribution.

  • An officeholder or staff gives greater access to donors.

  • An officeholder votes or works to support policies that reflect the preferences of individuals or organizations in order to attract contributions from them.

  • A candidate or officeholder seeks political contributions implying that there will be retribution unless a donation is given.

  • The results of the political process consistently favor the interests of significant campaign contributors.

LWVMN supports abolishing SuperPACs and spending coordinated or directed by candidates (other than by the candidate's own campaign committee). LWVMN supports restrictions on contributions or bundling of contributions by lobbyists.

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