Four Communities on the Cutting Edge of Change: Seattle, Washington; Lee's Summit, Missouri; Lima, Ohio; and Bronx County, New York
✍ Scribed by Ric Bainter; Paul Lhevine; Derek Okubo; Matt Leighninger; Michael McGrath
- Book ID
- 102546354
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 1998
- Weight
- 223 KB
- Volume
- 87
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0027-9013
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
It is impossible to have a conversation about cutting-edge political reform without discussing the experiences of Seattle, Washington. Seattle has been a pioneer in efforts to improve electoral democracy for almost thirty years. Campaign contribution limits, public financing of elections, electronic disclosure of contributions, and development of city-sponsored voter guides are examples of Seattle' s leadership and innovation. Local, state, and national leaders can learn from Seattle as they search for better ways to elect city officials and reengage citizens in the democratic process.
In 1972, Seattle was one of the very first state or local jurisdictions to adopt contribution and expenditure limits for local campaigns. The campaign finance reform built on a comprehensive system of candidate disclosure that Washington voters had already passed by state initiative. Seattle and sixty other cities now impose contribution limits on local candidates, in an effort to rein in the corruptive effects of big money in politics.