Dear John,
Across the country, Americans are calling for elections to be about people with the best ideas, not the tycoons with the most money. Last year alone, billionaires poured $2.6 billion into our political system, drowning out the voices of everyday voters.
There’s a better way forward.
In Seattle, voters just reaffirmed their “Democracy Voucher” program, delivering four $25 vouchers to every voter to distribute as they see fit. The success of this program is evidence that public financing is not only effective, but popular when people see it in action.
Now California has the chance to go further. The California Fair Elections Act would put a measure on the 2026 ballot to repeal the state’s outdated ban on public financing. That change would give every city, county, and the state itself the option to adopt systems that amplify the voices of voters over donors.
Whether you live in California or not, signing and sending this petition will show national support for public campaign financing! Californians will tell their Assemblymember to vote YES. The rest of the country will send a message to their Governor.
Public financing of elections is already working in 14 states and 26 municipalities. The benefits are powerful, for voters, candidates, and for good governance as a whole:
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Empowering voters: Everyday people’s voices matter more than big donors.
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Leveling the field: Qualified candidates can run and win without billionaire backing.
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Refocusing priorities: Officials spend more time serving the public, not chasing checks.
At the moment, the California bill is stuck in the same committee that killed last year’s attempt. This is why action is so desperately needed now. If it falls through again, voters won’t even get the chance to decide. But if California leads the way now, any other state could be next.
That’s why the fight matters far beyond California. If the nation’s largest state can blaze the trail, others will follow – moving forward a national agenda for putting democracy back into the hands of the people.
Show your support by signing on and sending your message now!
Thank you for helping build a democracy where elections are won by the ideas that best serve the people, not bought by the biggest of the billionaires.
Robert Reich
Inequality Media Civic Action
