Northwest Examiner

September 2005

Retain Elections Reform

            A group of big-money contributors to city election campaigns have taken out a petition to repeal the Voter Owned Elections system adopted by City Council this spring.

            I would urge neighbors to decline to sign this petition. Voter Owned Elections will help re-empower neighborhoods in the city's politics. Indeed, one of the first serious candidates to seek the 1000 qualifying $5 contributions under this system is Amanda Fritz, a well-respected neighborhood activist and former Planning Commission member who is running for City Council. Amanda will have several house parties in Northwest Portland this fall on her path to the May primary, and I would urge neighbors to come out and hear Amanda and watch the kind of campaigns that will be waged under the new system.

            After you've had a chance to observe the system in operation, then please make up your mind whether you want to keep it. The ordinance adopted by council is already slated to be referred to voters in several years. Don't let the big-money donors protect their undue influence on our elections by repealing this important campaign finance reform before voters see it in action.

Chris Smith
NW Pettygrove St.