Issue Position: Strengthening our Democracy

Issue Position

In my view we cannot have an effective government while money plays such a big role in our elections. Obviously we need to reverse the Citizen's United decision at the Federal level. But there is plenty of opportunity to make meaningful changes at the state level too. Sadly we haven't been able to convince legislative leaders to take the plunge. For example, we could ban corporate donations in Vermont. So far that idea has been defeated at every turn.

We could also enact my bill for public funding of elections. People bristle at the idea of taxpayers funding elections but we must recognize a few factors:

Elections are relatively cheap compared to the state's $4 billion budget.
Someone is paying for elections today so we better recognize that the donor class is exerting a lot of influence over our leaders.
States that use public funding mechanisms (Maine & Connecticut for example) see a much greater level of contested races and more young people getting involved.
I have also been a champion of efforts to expand voter registration. H.458 was signed into law in April 2016 and allows any Vermonter getting or renewing a license to automatically be added to the voter rolls (unless they want to opt-out).

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