Don't have a Facebook account?
JOIN the 22 other supporters!
I Support Transparent Elections…because it IS my business
Existing Nevada laws regarding the reporting of campaign contributions and expenses do not provide the public a full, timely, and easily accessible picture of who is attempting to influence Nevada elections and how much they are spending; and
The Campaign Disclosure Project of the UCLA School of Law, the Center for Governmental Studies and supported by The Pew Charitable Trusts gave Nevada an “F” in 2008 for the state’s campaign disclosure law, electronic filing program and disclosure report accessibility, the same grade Nevada received in the Project’s previous four reports, and
Voters have the right to easily access such information in a timely way so they can make informed decisions at the polls, and
Concerned citizens and organization in Nevada must let members of the legislature and the Governor know that changes in state law should be enacted in 2011,
So, for these reasons, I urge the legislature to adopt these campaign finance reforms:
1) Campaign contribution and expenditure reports (C&E) related to candidates for state, county and district offices must be filed electronically with the Secretary of State, which will result in creation of an electronic database that is easily searchable by the public.
Currently C&E reports can be handwritten and submitted by mail, making it difficult for the public to find, read, and track campaign spending.
2) Campaign contribution and expense reports must be filed four days before early voting begins in the state. Another report must be filed the Friday before the primary and the Friday before the general election day.
Currently, the second C & E report of the year isn’t due until one week before the primary and general elections and after thousands of Nevadans have already cast early votes.
3) All individuals, organizations, and corporations that raise more than $100 must register with the Secretary of State before making any independent expenditure on behalf of a candidate or group of candidates.
Currently, the law is ambiguous and open to challenges, which have occurred.
4) All independent expenditures more than $5,000 on behalf of a candidate or group of candidates must be reported to the Secretary of State.
Currently, the law is ambiguous and open to challenges, which have occurred.
5) Contributions to PACs that make independent expenditures in support or opposition to a single candidate are limited to $5,000 for the primary election and $5,000 for the general election.
Currently, there are no limits on individual contributions to PACs.
6) All Committees for Political Action (PACs), regardless of whether they give money to candidates in any given year, must file a campaign and expense report with the Secretary of State every year. Currently, PACs can raise all the money they want, but only have to file a report if they make a contribution to a candidate or ballot advocacy group.
7) Every advertisement funded with independent expenditure in support of or opposition to a candidate must identify the person or group making the expenditure and declare that the expenditure is not authorized by the candidate.
Currently, there are no such disclaimer requirements.