The powerful grassroots organization is travelling around the state. What does this mean for reform efforts heading into the 2024 general election?

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Voters Not Politicians Kick Off Campaign Finance Town Hall Tour, Discusses Pathway to Reform
The powerful grassroots organization who spearheaded the ballot initiative to end gerrymandering in 2018 is traveling around the state to listen to citizens about campaign finance reform. What does this mean for reform efforts heading into the 2024 general election?

By Nicholas Pigeon
Michigan Campaign Finance Network

Lansing (April 26th, 2023) – Earlier this month, Voters Not Politicians announced that they are traveling across the state for a “Campaign Finance Reform Town Hall Tour.” In the email announcement, the group stated that they aim to hear from voters about “the danger that money in politics poses to our democracy” and bring Michiganders into the conversation.

The grassroots organization is famous for its large-scale effort in 2018 that saw the passage of Proposal 2 that led to the creation of the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission ([link removed]) . Prior to the push to change Michigan’s constitution to give redistricting power to an independent body rather than the legislature, the organization held a similar town hall tour, talking with Michiganders about the need to “end gerrymandering.”

Voters Not Politicians currently has eight town halls scheduled across Michigan and stated that they are “already building up another army of activists and volunteers who are ready to tackle campaign finance reform in Michigan.”

The first town hall occurred on April 13^th at the Royal Oak Public Library.

“This is exactly how we started our campaign to end gerrymandering—we actually do write policies of, by, and for the people. What you saw today was the actual process,” said Nancy Wang, the executive director of Voters Not Politicians after the Royal Oak Event.

When asked about why Voters Not Politicians decided to hold a series of town halls regarding campaign finance, Wang stated “We were reflecting on everything that we want to do, and one thing we have done in the past six years is build a lot of power—and so we are looking at campaign finance as one of the huge issues and threats to our democracy.”

Due to a plumbing emergency, the town hall was held on the steps of the Royal Oak Public Library, but that did not dampen the passionate conversation by the participants who ranged from activists to engaged citizens.

After an initial primer on campaign finance by Wayne State University Professor Kevin Deegan-Krause, attendants spoke back and forth about reforms including increasing disclosure requirements and limiting the fundraising power of 501(c) organizations.

“There are reforms that have passed in other states by seventy-two percent,” said Wang. “When you say money in politics and special interests are buying our politicians, that resonates with people. We need to get big campaign money out of the system so it is our voices that they hear and act on.”

Voters Not Politicians reiterated that they are in the listening stage and are not set on a specific path or mechanism of reform. “These are authentic conversations, and our volunteers are well-versed in these areas. From what I saw today, the energy is there—the concern is there, and I think Voters Not Politicians is going to do something big and that matters.”

The next town hall on the Campaign Finance Town Hall Tour is scheduled at the Haslett Capital District Library. The event is officially called the “Getting Money OUT of Politics Town Hall.” ([link removed])

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