Coalition Rallies for Public Campaign Financing

Big Money is undermining the integrity of our elections. The ultra-rich is exerting outsized power in our American democracy, and voters overwhelmingly believe that special interests wield far too much political influence. In response, legislators are pushing for electoral reform to amplify the voice of everyday Californians, and empower grassroots candidates to represent their communities. 

This week, a coalition of lawmakers and advocates rallied at the State Capitol in support of SB 42, which will enable local governments to deploy public campaign financing programs. Public campaign financing gives candidates access to public funds for political campaigns, a tool that is proven to create more competitive elections and small donor participation. Assemblymember Alex Lee, a principal co-author of SB 42, has long been a champion of this powerful system of campaign financing. 

“Our democracy should not be for sale. Big Money is drowning out the voices of everyday voters,” said Assemblymember Lee, who previously introduced similar legislation to uphold electoral integrity. “Public financing is the reform we need to bring power back to the people and level the playing field for grassroots candidates to run for office. It will help rebuild voters’ faith in democracy and show that Big Money can’t buy our elections.” 

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(August 26 rally for SB 42 at the State Capitol)

Americans on both sides of the aisles agree that major donors, lobbyists, and corporations have undue influence on their elected officials. The majority of likely voters in California see the need for significant reforms to the way election campaigns are financed. Nationwide, growing evidence shows the benefits of public financing programs. For instance, research highlights that Seattle's Democracy Dollars program, which offers four $25 vouchers for voters to donate to city office campaigns, significantly increased the number of donors and candidates. New York’s public financing option helped voters in 2021 elect the most diverse and representative city council. 

Across the U.S., over three dozen states and jurisdictions are offering public campaign financing. Voters in several California charter cities have overwhelmingly approved public campaign financing. But state law currently bars counties, districts, general law cities, and the State from offering public funds for political candidates. If passed, SB 42 will give voters the opportunity on the 2026 November ballot to remove the ban, giving local governments and the State the same flexibility to explore better campaign funding options that are currently only available to charter cities. The bill was introduced by Senator Tom Umberg, and sponsored by the California Clean Money Campaign and California Common Cause.