THE CAMPAIGN LEGAL CENTER INC

VOTING RIGHTS: VOTING SHOULD BE ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL CITIZENS, NO MATTER WHERE THEY LIVE, THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN OR HOW MUCH MONEY THEY MAKE. TO MAKE EVERY VOTE COUNT, WE NEED A SYSTEM THAT IS FREE AND FAIR TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE'S VOICE IS HEARD, INCLUDING THOSE WHO HAVE HAD CONTACT WITH THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM. CLC BELIEVES THAT STATE AND FEDERAL POLICIES SHOULD UNIFORMLY PROTECT THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND PROMOTE VOTER PARTICIPATION ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. THIS CLC PROGRAM, THROUGH LITIGATION, POLICY ANALYSIS, STATE-BASED AND FEDERAL ADVOCACY, AND PUBLIC EDUCATION, SEEKS TO PROTECT THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND EXPAND ACCESS TO THE BALLOT.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE: THE FIRST AMENDMENT GUARANTEES EVERY AMERICAN THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS. THE DEPENDENCE OF POLITICAL CANDIDATES ON WEALTHY SPECIAL INTERESTS IS A SERIOUS FLAW IN OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM AND MAKES ELECTED OFFICIALS RESPONSIVE TO THEIR LARGE DONORS RATHER THAN TO THE PUBLIC. THE TREMENDOUS POWER OF SPECIAL INTEREST MONEY IN POLITICS OFTEN DROWNS OUT THE VOICE OF EVERYDAY AMERICANS, THREATENS OUR FIRST AMENDMENT FREEDOMS, AND ERODES THE FOUNDATIONS OF OUR ENTIRE DEMOCRACY. TO RESTORE FAIRNESS TO OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM, THIS CLC PROGRAM ADVOCATES FOR PASSING AND ENFORCING STRONG CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORMS THAT HELP GUARANTEE A DEMOCRACY THAT IS BOTH REPRESENTATIVE OF AND RESPONSIVE TO THE PEOPLE. THESE REFORM SOLUTIONS INCLUDE PLACING REASONABLE LIMITS ON FUNDING OF CAMPAIGNS, COMPLETE TRANSPARENCY OF CAMPAIGN SPENDING AND PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS. CLC HELPS ENACT SUCH POLICIES AT THE STATE, LOCAL, AND FEDERAL LEVELS, AND WORKS TO ENSURE THAT THE FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION ENFORCES CURRENT CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS. CLC ALSO DEFENDS LAWS THAT PROMOTE THE FIRST AMENDMENT'S GUARANTEE THAT EVERY AMERICAN HAS THE ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.