“Voter-Owned” Elections Pilot Won’t Fly
Today, the North Carolina Senate considers on third reading a bill that would implement a “voter-owned” elections pilot program in the state. The North Carolina House previously approved the measure 59-57 on Saturday, July 28.
The pilot program would make available government funding for candidates for state auditor, superintended of public instruction, and insurance commissioner. Proponents believe government-financed elections will “improve the electoral process.”
But research compiled by the Center for Competitive Politics (CCP), a pro-First Amendment reform organization, shows that government-financed elections are an expensive use of government resources that do not deliver their promised results.
Specifically, CCP finds that government-financed elections:
– Will not lead to more competitive elections and will likely entrench incumbents
– Decreases confidence in government
– Does not lead to “better” representation
– Does not increase citizen participation in politics
– Is unfair to non-participants
– Will result in more spending by “527” organizations
A full overview of government-financed elections is available at: https://www.ifs.org/docLib/20070720_Glossy.pdf
“This proposal allows politicians to feed from the public trough,” CCP President Sean Parnell said. “Simply stated, it is welfare for politicians.”