Regardless of your beliefs or which side of the aisle you sit on, one fact is indisputable: Money has changed the political landscape and is the lifeblood of politics. of the United States. It’s also the statistically significant difference between winning and losing.
According to OpenSecrets, a non-partisan and non-profit organization dedicated to analyzing the influence of money on elections and government policies, in the 2020 election cycle, more than 87 percent of House races and more than 71 percent of Senate races were won by the candidate who spent the most. money.
Fair elections are the heart of any true democracy: A country cannot be truly democratic unless all its citizens can choose their representatives through in free and fair elections. Although it can be argued that elections in the United States are free, based on the incredible information of OpenSecrets, it may be time to question the fairness of the process.
To be fair, all candidates must have an equal opportunity to be nominated and selected. I am running for Providence City Council to represent the North End. As a first-time candidate who comes from a working-class background and lacks the connections and social capital to raise enough money to run a competitive race, I quickly realized how far from that ideal we are. eat Historically and historically, big money in politics has created an uneven playing field, giving unfair advantage to conservatives and opportunities to donors. where others cannot reach. This also stimulates the power of inheritance; once well-funded candidates are installed in office, it is much more difficult to remove them. This is, by definition, an undemocratic process. Fortunately, there are new and innovative ways to combat this dangerous situation.
In November 2015, Seattle voters passed a plan that changed the way local government systems are funded in the city. Launched during the 2017 election cycle, the “Democracy Vouchers” program aims to counter the influence of wealthy donors and organizations, supporting a democratic process. In fact, at the beginning of each election cycle, the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission, a federal and independent commission, issues four $25 Democratic Voucher to every voter in Seattle. Each voter can donate their paper as they wish, either to one candidate or to distribute it to several. And, according to a study from the University of Washington, the program has the desired effect, citing a “53% increase in the number of contributions and a 350% increase in the number of donors unique.”
The Seattle Democracy Voucher program is funded through 2025 with a $3 million annual property tax that would cost the average Seattle homeowner about $8 per year. That’s less than 0.2 percent of the $1.74 billion budgeted for the 2022 General Fund by the Seattle City Budget Office.
In Providence, the interests of real estate agents and the wealthy have driven the mayor and city government for decades, and by extension, public policy in our city. Given the success of the Democracy Voucher program in Seattle, a similar program in Providence could be very effective in making our city’s politics more inclusive, more democratic.
This is a bold plan to push back against big money in politics, which I will fight hard to achieve in Providence if I am elected to the City Council. It is a plan that has been considered, and it is working. If implemented on the same scale as Seattle, the cost to Providence taxpayers would be minimal, given the city’s $568 million budget set for FY2023 .
This political reform program has allowed ordinary citizens to be as involved in elections as wealthy donors. Currently, the cost to taxpayers is insignificant, especially considering the success of many representatives and policies. A new and innovative approach to campaign finance will result in elections that are more representative of the entire electorate. This will increase voter turnout, limit the influence of political committees, and ensure that a majority of candidates can be represented. compete with their message and agenda.
There have been many debates in the past few years about the stability of our country’s democratic values. This program offers a practical and tested way towards a democracy that better expresses the will of the whole community. It should be considered in cities across the country, including and especially the City of Providence.
Justin Roias is a school social worker, licensed mental health counselor, and candidate for Providence City Council.
