Maine, Arizona Senators Promote "Clean" Elections
By Don Riley
10/1/2008

An Indiana state legislative committee is looking into the merits of a "Clean Elections" act.

Clean elections is the term for political campaigns that rely entirely on public funds. Grassroots demand for reform is driving the proposed legislation.

The committee heard from representatives of two states that have clean elections laws.

Maine Republican Senator Christine Savage explains the innovative law provides a more diversified pool of candidates who could not otherwise afford to mount a political campaign. Funding levels provide a minimum amount of money to run a viable campaign depending on the office a candidate is running for.

Arizona Democratic Senator Meg Burton-Cahill says as an incumbent, the law means she's able to spend more time talking about issues with her constituents instead of spending time fundraising on the phone.

Eric East with the Arizona Clean Election Institute says their election fund is financed by a surcharge on all criminal and civil fines. He says it usually produces a surplus which goes to balance the state's budget.

The Maine and Arizona senators told the committee that it's possible for a traditionally funded candidate to outspend a challenger, but the clean elections act creates a more level playing field.

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