Charter Amendment would lay the groundwork for small donor public financing of County elections

Baltimore County  –  On Wednesday night a crowd of supporters and community leaders came together on Zoom to launch the campaign to support Question A, a Baltimore County Charter Amendment to establish the Citizens’ Election Fund and Commission. 

With costs to run for office in Baltimore County rapidly increasing and growing public concern over big money in politics, Question A will amend the Baltimore County Charter and enable the County Council to establish the Baltimore Citizens’ Election Fund, a small donor campaign finance system for County Executive and Council races.

« Ce programme permettra aux dirigeants communautaires, en particulier ceux qui sont jeunes et issus de groupes sous-représentés, de mener de véritables campagnes populaires », a expliqué Samay Kindra, président du comité de vote. « Le Fonds électoral citoyen donnera aux communautés une plus grande voix lors des élections, ce dont nous avons plus que jamais besoin. » 

With a Citizens’ Election Fund program, candidates who se conformer à des règles d'éthique et de transparence plus strictes, comme ne pas accepter de chèques géants de la part de lobbyistes, d'entreprises ou de PAC, peut être admissible à recevoir des fonds de contrepartie limités pour les petits dons qu'ils reçoivent des résidents du comté de Baltimore. 

Supporters of Question A came together to celebrate the Charter Amendment and launch a voter education and mobilization campaign for the election.

Watch the Zoom recording at https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/u1GoNhLXmBzUcEx2m5Pqe27jsLP93mm7zfDciRtFDJkFDWqgppnO6TmJdsqb5_x7.4jSwNS-PBXDMJZ3Z

“When campaigns are dominated by large and corporate donors, we all lose. Question A is about ensuring Baltimore County voters have a voice in local government regardless of how much money they have, and that’s a good thing" a déclaré Emily Scarr, directrice du Maryland PIRG.

In recent years the cost to run for Baltimore County Council has dramatically increased, and candidates for County Executive have consistently raised or spent in the muli-millions. According to a forthcoming report from Common Cause Maryland Center, in 2018, four candidates for County Executive raised over $1 million dollars for their campaign. The winning candidate for County Executive raised $2,216,067.29.

« Le Fonds électoral des citoyens peut élargir les possibilités de se présenter aux élections, afin que davantage de femmes et de personnes de couleur puissent concourir aux élections du Conseil de comté et du Comité exécutif du comté. » a expliqué Joanne Antoine, directrice exécutive de Common Cause Maryland. “If we want a more representative government, Question A is something you should get behind.”

L'amendement à la Charte pour le Fonds pour des élections équitables a été lancé par le directeur exécutif du comté Johnny Olszewski, Jr. With less than a month before Election Day, the coalition, which is supported by local, state, and national organizations and volunteers, says they are working to reach voters wherever they can, safely: talking to community groups online, hosting Zoom happy hours and house parties, and pounding the pavement with educational information via social media, texts, phones, and letter writing.

“As a grassroots group, we know that local issues matter, and we know that local voices matter. In Baltimore County, Question A will allow for more participation in our elections,” said Rianna Lloyd, the Baltimore Community Organizer with Jews United for Justice. “That’s why Jews United for Justice is encouraging voters to vote their whole ballot, from the bottom to the top, and vote yes for Question A.”

“To solve big problems, we need leadership that’s reflective of our communities,” explained Jennifer Mendes Dwyer, Progressive Maryland deputy executive director. “Question A will enable more everyday county residents with good ideas and a call to public service to run for office without connections to big-dollar contributors.” 

For more information about Question A  and the campaign, visit https://www.baltimorecountyfairelections.org/

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 The grassroots campaign in support of Question A for the Baltimore County Citizen Election Fund has been endorsed by local, state and national organizations Including Clean Water Action, Common Cause Maryland,  Democracy Initiative, Food and Water Action Fund, Get Money Out Maryland, Greater Baltimore Sierra Club, Jews United for Justice, League of Women Voters of Baltimore County, Maryland PIRG Progressive Maryland, Represent Maryland.

Autorité : Oui pour A ! Fonds électoral des citoyens du comté de Baltimore, Zachary Kovach, trésorier