Voters' Defeat of Special Election Measures Demonstrates Why California Needs Fair Elections

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Chris Patterson 916.444.5353
May 19, 2009

LOS ANGELES, CA - The California Fair Elections Campaign today released the following statement from Trent Lange, President:

"Today's special election results demonstrate clearly that voters are tired of Sacramento's politics as usual. With their resounding defeat of five ballot measures that forced California's complex problems onto the backs of the voters, they've sent a clear message that they want our leaders to roll up their sleeves and do the tough work of finding real solutions to our state's challenges.

"Unfortunately, our money-driven campaign finance system encourages more partisan gridlock at a time when we need courageous, sensible, bi-partisan solutions. On the June 2010 ballot, voters will have the opportunity to begin to fundamentally reform the election process by getting elected officials out of the fundraising game so that they are accountable to voters.

"The California Fair Elections Act represents the change voters want, and the reform California so badly needs."

The California Fair Elections Act passed through the Legislature and was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger in 2008 and will appear on the June 2010 ballot. The initiative would create a pilot project providing voluntary public financing for candidates running for Secretary of State in 2014 and 2018 who qualify and agree to strict spending limits, with no taxpayer dollars going to candidates.

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