Consider This...

April 13, 2007

 

If you had an easy way to make elections more fair in North Carolina, and it didn’t cost you a red cent, would you do it?

You do have that chance. When you grind through your taxes this weekend, don’t forget to check off the box for the Public Campaign Fund on your N.C. income tax form.

Checking the box means you order the government to spend $3 of your taxes on the Public Campaign Fund for judicial candidates in statewide races. It does not add to your tax burden or take away from your refund in any way.  

Last year 75% of statewide judicial candidates received help from the Fund in exchange for their adherence to strict spending limits, thereby taking at least some of the influence of big money out of the process. The Fund also paid for the printing and distribution of four million Voter Guides to help the people decide the races based on the issues instead of on advertising dollars. .

As always, it’s unfortunate that such a wonderful program relies on a gimmick such as the check-off for its funding. But until that changes, make sure you check the box!