Keep commitment to clean state elections

From the ignominy of one of the worst public corruption cases in the history of Connecticut arose an idea that has proven beneficial for the health of democracy and become a model for the nation. After then-Gov. John G. Rowland resigned and went to prison on fraud charges a decade and a half ago, lawmakers devised a way to make elections “clean” — take out the campaign contributions of lobbyists and special interest groups.

The result is the Citizens’ Election Program which made campaigning for public office more equitable and thus increased the diversity of the elected body.

With time, however — the bipartisan public financing was signed into law by then-Gov. M. Jodi Rell in 2005 and went into effect for the 2008 legislative races — impetus can fade. That should not happen with the intent of public financing; the commitment must remain strong.

The positives are numerous.

A report released this week by Common Cause, an independent election watchdog, quantifies the success of the voluntary program. In 2006, before the Citizens’ Election Program, nearly half of the $9.3 million raised for campaigns came from political action committees, lobbyists and contractors. By the 2018 legislative races, 99 percent of the funding came from individual donations in limited small amounts.

“The CEP’s reliance on these small-donor funds transferred political power from wealthy contributors and businesses back to the people,” the report states.

To participate, a candidate must raise a certain amount in individual contributions of no more than $270 to qualify for state funds. Those running for state representative need to raise $5,300 from as many as 150 people to be eligible for $30,575 from the state. For state senate, candidates need $16,000 from at least 300 people to receive $104,000. The contributions come from inside the district — the people the candidate would represent — not outside influences.

The limits bring financial equality to the races, and enable a broader range of people to reach for elected office.

For example, before the program women held just 28 percent of the seats in the General Assembly, though they are 51.2 percent of the population. By the 2018 election, women were 33 percent of the legislature.

State Sen. Gary Winfield, a Democrat from New Haven, said that without the state grants his first run for office as a candidate of color who “did not come from money” would have been “almost impossible.”

The state’s pool for funding comes from unclaimed property in the state treasurer’s office and unredeemed bottle and can deposits.

But — and here’s the threat — in recent years the General Assembly has redirected the deposits, as much as $24 million, to the General Fund. It has cut the budget of the State Elections Enforcement Commission and limited the time regulators can investigate irregularities.

The Citizens’ Election Program works at pushing out Big Money influence and bringing in more voices for the people. An unwavering commitment must be maintained.

‘The CEP’s reliance on these small-donor funds transferred political power from wealthy contributors and businesses back to the people.’

— Common Cause report