Measure 46 - the constitutional amendment

Fair Elections Belong in our Constitution
Vote Yes on 46!

In 1994, 72% of Oregonians voted for limitations on contributions to candidates.

But in 2006, we have NO such limits.

Why not?

In 1997, the Oregon Supreme Court threw out that law claiming it violated the Oregon Constitution.

The result?

Corporate contributions to candidates have skyrocketed.
Running for office is now beyond the reach of ordinary citizens.
Our elected officials are perceived to represent special interests rather than ordinary people.

Measure 46 is the solution!

It’s just one sentence which permits limitations on campaign contributions.

That’s all!

A constitutional amendment is required to allow limitations.

We don’t advocate amending the Constitution on a whim. But sometimes an amendment is necessary.

What is a constitution?

Our Constitution is a contract in which the people define how the government is formed and how it functions. Rules governing the election of our government officials ought to be included in the Constitution.

Measure 46 simply makes limitations on political contributions and expenditures constitutional.

It does not establish limits on political contributions.

It does not establish spending limits.

It does give the people the right to pass those types of rules.

What role does the legislature have?

Measure 46 allows contribution limitations to be enacted either through the initiative process or by our representatives in Salem. If the legislature enacts or changes laws establishing limits, it must do so by a 75% majority vote rather than a simple majority.

This super-majority requirement is needed because in other states with limitations legislatures have changed laws in order to favor the wealthy over the rest of us. During the 2004 election, the Ohio legislature, with a simple majority, increased the ceiling on individual contributions from $2,500 to $10,000. This change favored wealthy citizens to the detriment of poor and middle-class citizens.

Vote Yes on Measures 46 & 47.

Joan Horton, David Delk, Co-chairs
Alliance for Democracy, Portland www.afd-pdx.org

End Mad Cash Disease
Vote YES on 46 and 47!

Oregon has no restrictions on contributions to candidates.
Corporations, not people, mainly fund candidates.
Running for office is too expensive for the ordinary citizen.
Our elections suffer from Mad Cash Disease!

Measure 47 limits contributions & independent expenditures. The measure:

· Applies to all donors, whether they live in Oregon or outside Oregon.
· Applies to all candidates running in Oregon.

· Bans ALL contributions from corporations and unions.
· Limits contributions from individual people.
· Limits independent expenditures made on behalf of a candidate.

· Requires that ads paid for with independent expenditures list the names of the top five donors.

· Permits the creation of Small Donor Committees (SDCs) allowing unions and citizen groups to fund candidates.

Small Donor Committees

Any group or union can form a SDC, which may contribute to candidates or use independent expenditures to advocate for or against candidates.

A SDC may not donate or spend more than $50 per member.

A corporation cannot create a SDC, but its management can. However, they can only form one SDC, not one for each corporate subsidiary. SDC funds must come from voluntary contributions not exceeding $50 per member. Corporate SDCs cannot use existing corporate funds for donations or expenditures.

A union may create a SDC for each of its separate decision-making bodies. Unions may use up to $50 per union member from already existing funds. Union members wouldn’t be required to donate any additional funds.

Historically corporations have outspent unions five to one.
The ratio is even worse for environmental and other citizen groups.

Such groups will never, ever be able to raise the amount of money that corporations can.

Banning corporate contributions and using SDCs gives these groups a chance for real participation in the process of electing our representatives.

Let’s activate a grassroots political process! Vote YES on 47!

David Delk, Joan Horton Co-chairs
Alliance for Democracy, Portland www.afd-pdx.org