The General Assembly should reapprove Chapel Hill’s voter-owned elections program.
The program, the first of its kind in North Carolina, allows candidates who can demonstrate a broad base of support to opt-in to receiving a limited amount of campaign dollars from a public fund. In exchange, the candidate agrees to limit spending and private fundraising.
Because the General Assembly didn’t reapprove the program before it adjourned, it is currently unavailable to Chapel Hill office-seekers.
This is unfortunate. The program allows those who don’t have the deepest pockets or the richest backers to have a better chance of winning a seat on Town Council or the mayorship.
Obviously, the program isn’t a panacea for the issue of money in politics. But it does more good than harm.
A more level playing field means wider options for voters, and greater accessibility of government.
When candidates tie their hands like this, they spend less time with wealthy donors, and more time with constituents. The average voter suddenly has more power in determining who wins elections.
Those concerned that candidates taking part in this program are handicapped by it needn’t worry too much. Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt participated in the program and won his election, as did councilwomen Donna Bell and Penny Rich.
However, now it is up to the General Assembly to reapprove the program once it reconvenes in January. While the November election might affect the chances of the program continuing, it won’t change the fact that the program has numerous benefits.
That the program is voluntary only strengthens its case before the General Assembly. If no one is forced to participate, why not allow it to continue?
