Clean Elections Panel Ops For 2008 Vote
Joe Schneider
February 25, 2006
Neighborhoods for Clean Elections has opted for a 2008 election bid rather than launching a hurried ballot initiative campaign this year.
The unanimous decision was made Feb. 14 at a meeting of the organization’s Steering Committee at the Joyce Beers Community Center in Hillcrest.
Organization leaders weighed making the drive this year, but it was decided that more time was needed to raise funds and organize hundreds of volunteers. The campaign will officially get under way in December 2007.
“Our main goals between now and then will be a fundraising goal of $120,000 and the recruitment of 1,000 volunteers who will join us in a one-day weekend petition drive in January 2008,” said John Hartley, coordinator for Neighborhoods for Clean Elections.
“We will earmark the results of our fundraising for the purchase of paid signatures so we can guarantee that we get our clean elections initiative on the ballot, Hartley said. “However, we will work to get all or most of our signatures by a volunteer campaign.”
A recent poll commissioned by Neighborhoods for Clean Elections showed strong support in San Diego.
According to Public Campaign, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reforming the electoral system, the Clean Elections approach is designed to provide a clear alternative to the current system of raising and spending largely special-interest money to finance election campaigns.
It allows qualified candidates to run for public office without compromising their independence since they won't have to ask for money from those with a vested interest in public policy. The system is completely voluntary and candidates who do not wish to participate are able to raise and spend private money for their campaigns, as they do today.
“Every signature obtained by a volunteer represents money that can be used in the struggle ahead,” Hartley said.
“The odds are that we will be strongly attacked by the foes of clean elections once we qualify for the ballot,” said Hartley. “We will need a vigorous campaign to ensure passage of the measure.”
