Overhaul of Voting, Ethics and Campaign Finance of Laws Crucial for Government Function and Credibility
In the wake of legislative leaders being sentenced to prison for corruption and widespread voting irregularities that caused qualified New Yorkers to be denied the right to vote, Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi of Utica and other community leaders gathered on Friday to back the Demand Democracy platform – an agenda that, if enacted, would provide real solutions to the influence wielded by the super rich over our government and breakdown the barriers to voter participation in New York.
Attendees drew connections between issues that are affecting the Central New York community – like funding public education, fighting climate change and creating economy-boosting jobs – and how these public-interest issues are impeded by very wealthy individuals who make large contributions to candidates.
Urging action before the end of this year’s session in mid-June, the groups called on Governor Cuomo and the Legislature to:
- Institute publicly funded elections: A small donor matching system where small contributions are matched with public dollars will to elevate the voice of everyday New Yorkers who are too often left behind.
- Enact comprehensive campaign finance reform: In addition to publicly financed elections, we need to close the LLC loophole; lower contribution limits for candidates and committees; and institute reasonable limits on transfers to put a check on big money and its ability to influence elections. New York’s legislature should support the call to overturn Citizens United.
- Modernize New York’s Antiquated Voting Processes: Reform NY’s voting laws by enacting automatic registration at a broad range of Government agencies, allow all New Yorkers to register and update their registration online, and providing for more flexible voting opportunities that will strengthen democracy.
- Expand and protect voting rights: Over 40,000 New Yorkers who are on parole must be allowed to vote. We need a full investigation of the purging of voter rolls and new training, support & oversight for boards of elections to make sure that voters are never unfairly removed from the rolls again.
- Restore faith in government: We need meaningful ethics reform, which includes eliminating pension benefits for convicted officials, banning the personal use of campaign funds, creating a full-time legislature with sharp limits on conflicts of interest, and requiring full-disclosure of outside income to make sure politicians work for all the people.
“One of my priorities is to modernize New York’s outdated election system. It’s time to move into the 21st Century, and open up the registration process to make sure all voters have the opportunity to vote in elections at their convenience. When added to significant improvements in campaign finance laws and ethics reform, we can help restore people’s faith in democracy, and increase participation in elections,” said Brindisi.
John Furman, President of the Central New York Citizens in Action, Inc., stated: “For too long, wealthy donors and special interests have controlled the political process. Citizens are demanding that we improve and expand New York State’s democratic institutions and institute publicly funded elections, comprehensive campaign finance reform, and ethics changes. The Central New York Citizens in Action, Inc., which represents citizens in Utica, Rome, Herkimer, and Oneida, is excited to be part of the Demand Democracy campaign. We are looking forward to mobilizing our constituents to demand a government that is truly of, by, and for the people.”
Local groups attending the news conference included Central New York Citizens in Action, Inc., Citizen Action of New York, Common Cause New York, Democratic Action Network, Cornhill Community for Change, and the New York State Working Families Party.
A statewide #DemandDemocracy day of action is planned for this coming Monday, June 13. More information on the campaign is available at www.demanddemocracy.org.
For more information regarding local activities, contact John Furman of the Central New York Citizens in Action, Inc. at315-725-0974 or cnycitizenaction@gmail.com.