The following news release was issued this morning.
Councilmembers Announce a Path Forward for Voter-Owned Elections in Seattle
SEATTLE - Seattle City Councilmembers announced today a timeline to develop a publicly financed elections program for local campaigns in the city of Seattle. The plan proposes development of a proposal over 2009 and early 2010 with a possible ballot measure placed before voters in 2010. If voters approve a measure, candidates could participate in a program as early as the 2011 election cycle.
Public financing, sometimes called “voter-owned” elections, allows a candidate to qualify for public funds to run an electoral campaign if he or she is able to demonstrate a broad base of community support. Candidate participation would be optional. Participants would agree to standards such as limits on private fundraising, a limit on using personal funds, or limits on third-party funding assistance. Programs currently operate in many cities, including Portland, OR, San Francisco, CA, and Albuquerque, NM.
