Money in Politics Research Action Project
917 SW Oak St. #422, Portland, OR  97205  (503) 283-1922  Fax (503) 283-1877 miprap@oregonfollowthemoney.org

Southeast Examiner

December 2005

Dear Editor,

I would like to second Mark Sturbois’ support for Voter Owned Elections as outlined in his 11/06/05 letter to the editor.  This system of publicly financed campaigns only gives money to candidates who demonstrate grassroots support by collecting over one-thousand $5 contributions.  As someone who does not have a lot of extra money to give, I feel I can make a meaningful contributions to a candidate I support.  The opposition to Voter Owned elections is made up of regular, large donors who want to repeal the system before we get a chance to see how it works.  When City Council passed Voter Owned Elections they committed to refer it to the ballot in three election cycles so, we will get a chance to vote on it.  Right now, the opposition is circulating petitions to repeal this system.  Please don’t support the effort to repeal.

Adrienne Aiona