In an era of money-dominated politics, Oakland, California voters showed the way forward. Voters overwhelmingly passed the Oakland Fair Elections Act, which will create a “democracy dollars” system of public funding of elections. With democracy dollars, each Oakland resident will receive democracy vouchers worth $100. Residents can give these vouchers to city council and mayor candidates, and the candidates then exchange the vouchers for public funds to run their campaigns. The vote tally was 69% yes, 31% no.
The democracy dollars program gives every citizen the means to back candidates of their choice. Candidates can focus on voters, rather than on big campaign donors. Oakland will soon be electing the best leaders, regardless of whether they are the best fundraisers.
Five years ago, MapLight co-founded the coalition that led to today's victory. Since then MapLight has co-led the effort alongside groups like Common Cause California, the ACLU of Northern California, the League of Women Voters of Oakland, Oakland Rising, Bay Rising, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice.
In Seattle, which has had democracy vouchers since 2017, candidates can run for office and win without depending on special interest money. All residents can contribute to candidates, regardless of their personal level of wealth, which encourages candidates to campaign in all areas of the city –not just the high-income areas. The Seattle program increased the number of small donations as well as the number of candidates, providing voters greater choice.
Oakland is the second city in the nation to adopt this program.
There’s more about democracy vouchers–in comic form–in this excerpt from my book Unrig.
Thank you for all your support of MapLight through the years. Together we are showing the way forward to protect and expand democracy for everyone.
Best wishes,
Dan
P.S. You may have noticed our new logo, updated for the times.
P.P.S. MapLight is hiring a Product Manager--please spread the word!
