Voter Owned Hawai'i: The Reform That Makes All Other Reforms Possible

 


 
 

In 2004, AARP Hawai`i partnered with our Voter-Owned Election effort and on April 13, 2005, released the results of a state-wide survey. Some very revealing information was brought forward about how the public perceives the way Hawaii's elected officials finance their political campaigns.

81% agreed that politicians become obligated to those who have given them campaign money, and think campaign contributions moderately or greatly influence policies supported by elected officials. Seven in ten Hawaii residents think the state's political system is equally (34%) or more (35%) influenced by contributions today than it was twenty years ago, and most (82%) think changes are needed when it comes to the way election campaigns are financed in the state.

"AARP's survey is a strong indicator that the public is unhappy with the influence of special interest money in government and overwhelmingly support changing the way election campaigns are financed in Hawaii," said Mae Mendelson, AARP Hawaii State President. "It clearly demonstrates that the time for action is now."

Read or download the complete 24-page survey in a .pdf HERE


  ”Public financing is the difference between being able to go out and spend your time talking with voters, meeting with groups, . . . traveling to communities that have been under-represented in the past, as opposed to being on the phone selling tickets to a $250 a plate fundraiser.”

--Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, elected under Arizona's Voter Owned Elections program


"Four states: Arizona, Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont are experimenting with offering qualified candidates for office the option of public financing: In exchange for refusing to pander to contributions from donors who may want political favors, they get a reasonable taxpayer stipend for their campaigns. . . . The simple truth is that campaigning is expensive, and candidates will get the money someplace. Far better that the public, not special interests, put up the bucks."

--USA Today Editorial


“We Clean Elections [Voter Owned Elections] pioneers are a more independent bunch, especially because we’re not worrying about how we’re going to raise the big bucks to win our next race. Lobbyists for special interests tend to spend less time with us, which makes it easier to get through the Capitol halls in time for a vote.”

-Glenn Cummings, & Ed Youngblood, Maine State legislators, elected using Voter Owned Elections