CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM: KEY CONCEPTS
Campaign Finance Reform (CFR) is probably Oregon’s most influential available change
to make elections fair and transparent and to make government responsive to the needs of the people.
CFR includes:
- limiting campaign contributions
- requiring that political ads name their largest funders
- providing low-cost ways for candidates and measures to communicate with voters, such as the Oregon Voters' Pamphlet
- providing limited public funding for candidates who agree to forego any large contributions
- making it illegal for public officeholders to make government decisions in exchange for campaign contributions
CFR can:
- prevent politicians from becoming indebted to large funders
- prevent the outcome of elections from being determined largely in favor of large funders
- allow fresh ideas and voices to be heard
- allow non-incumbents to realistically compete for public office