It’s official: this November Multnomah County voters will decide whether to limit political campaign contributions in county races and require that political ads in those races disclose the largest funders.
Today, the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners issued a resolution submitting to voters a package of proposed amendments to the County Charter — including the a campaign finance reform amendment — developed by a volunteer group of county residents. That group, the Multnomah County Charter Review Committee, is convened every six years under county charter rules.
“The big flow of money into politics weakens our democratic institutions, undermines public confidence in government, and excludes the vast majority of citizens from seeking public office,” said County Charter Review Committee member Juan Carlos Ordóñez. “County voters will get to decide for themselves whether there ought to be limits on money in politics.”
Nearly all of the members of the public who testified before the Committee urged the Committee to put on the ballot what’s been dubbed the Honest Elections Amendment. Some spoke of how money influences whom elected leaders listen to when deciding on public policy. Others spoke of how they feel that their votes do not matter because of the influence of money in politics or how it puts certain groups of people with limited resources — particularly communities of color — at a disadvantage in the political process.
The measure that will be on the ballot would establish three key reforms:
- Limiting contributions to any candidate from any individual or political action committees to $500.
- Limiting the amount of money that can be spent independently — separate from money given directly to candidates — supporting or opposing a candidate.
- Requiring that political advertisements disclose the real identities (“true original sources”) of the principal funders of the ad.
“Multnomah County has a proud history of leading the way in making our society work better for everyone,” said Liz Trojan, also a member of the County Charter Review Committee. “Now, the people of the county will have a chance to revitalize our democracy.”
Honest Elections Multnomah County is a grassroots organization composed of members of the Multnomah County Charter Review Committee and other county residents. The organization’s goal is to limit the influence of money politics in Multnomah County.
