The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for June 13, 2024
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Amendment 6, a repeal of Florida’s public funding of elections option, faces voters on November 5th. Such small donor matching systems help candidates outside the political machine structure to compete, and can help limit special interest influence.
Voters passed a 1998 constitutional amendment creating a “method of public financing for campaigns for state-wide office” and affirmed it again in 2010. Gubernatorial candidates must raise $150,000 dollars in $250 dollar amounts, which the state matches 2 to 1, or 1 to 1 above the threshold. The matching threshold for cabinet candidates is $100,000.
Taking public money also requires adherence to spending limits, which in 2022 were over $30.28 Million for governor or lieutenant governor, about $2.00 per registered voter. For attorney general and other cabinet offices, the cost was about $1.00 per voter. The Miami Herald reports that since 2010, $33 Million in matching campaign funding has been spent.
Amy Keith of Common Cause Florida said in a March statement, “Let’s be clear: Seeking to repeal laws that address this issue of special interests and big campaign donors is a step backward. It silences the voices of everyday Floridians and gives favor to the wealthy to corrupt our politics.”
Find more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Florida Phoenix – Do FL voters want to repeal public financing of statewide elections for governor, Cabinet members?
Florida Div. of Elections – 2022 Public Campaign Financing Matching Funds Handbook
Florida Div. of Elections – Public Campaign Finance – Matching Funds Program
BallotPedia – Florida Amendment 6, Repeal of Public Financing for Statewide Campaigns Amendment (2024)
Miami Herald – What you need to know about Florida’s Amendment 6, the campaign finance ballot question
Brennan Center for Justice – Small Donor Public Financing Explained
Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause Florida, League of Women Voters FL, Equal Ground
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