Los Angeles Considers ‘Democracy Vouchers’ to Expand Engagement in City Elections
Councilmember Nithya Raman announced that a study on establishing a "democracy voucher" program for city elections will arrive in January.
Councilmember Nithya Raman announced that a study on establishing a "democracy voucher" program for city elections will arrive in January.
As budget cuts jeopardize the launch of a public campaign financing program approved by Oakland voters, community groups are mobilizing at town halls with a plan to keep the program on schedule this year.
An Oakland ballot measure creating a public campaign financing option and strengthening transparency in election spending passed with strong support.
A ballot measure would create a public campaign financing option in Oakland, called "Democracy Dollars," and increase transparency of who is spending to influence city elections.
Last year's elections saw gains in use of the public campaign financing system among people of color, younger, and lower-income Seattleites, according to a new report.
The Fair Elections Oakland coalition has launched an effort to pass a public campaign financing program—called "Democracy Dollars"—like the vouchers used in Seattle elections since 2017.
A new book explores how democracy vouchers, now in use in their third election cycle in Seattle, are being used by candidates to power their campaigns and are increasing the diversity of the donor base.
In the primary election for the open mayor's seat, all of the leading Seattle candidates have opted in to raise public campaign funding from a wide range of city residents.
Public campaign financing programs in states and cities across the country have grown in use by candidates and have been strengthened by voters in recent years.
Democracy vouchers are increasing small-donor participation in local elections and diversifying the donor pool.