Dear John,
 
A majority of American voters – across party lines – rate corruption in our political system as the most serious problem facing the country, even more serious than rising health care costs.
 
They see strong enforcement of campaign finance laws and increased transparency in elections as key solutions to solving this problem – according to a poll CLC commissioned by a Democratic firm, ALG Research, and a Republican firm, GS Strategy Group. Read more about these recent findings.
 
The poll results made clear that Americans want the Federal Election Commission, the only government agency whose sole responsibility is to oversee the integrity of political campaigns, to enforce campaign finance laws. Currently, the agency is operating without a quorum, so it cannot take any action against any lawbreakers.
 
Voters also see increased transparency in election-related contributions as a solution for reducing corruption and a way to protect the voices of all voters.

Here are some of the top lines:

• Voters believe the problem of big money in politics is getting worse, with 74% saying that corporations and special interest spending on elections has increased over the past 10 years.
• 71% of voters want the FEC to take a more active role enforcing campaign finance laws, and there is at least two-thirds support for this across party lines. The desire for a more active FEC is not just broad. It is also intense, with a majority of voters (51%) saying that it is very important that the FEC takes on a more active role in enforcing campaign finance laws.
• More than four-out-of-five (83%) of voters support publicly disclosing contributions to organizations involved in elections, with a majority (56%) strongly in support. This intense support for public disclosure extends across partisan and demographic lines.

As we head into one of the most expensive election cycles in history, it’s important that voters have a right to know which wealthy special interests are spending big money.

The failure of the FEC to enforce campaign finance laws has resulted in an explosion of secret spending, and our politics are increasingly rigged in favor of wealthy special interests. The message is clear: Congress, as well as a fully staffed and functioning FEC, must act to protect our democracy.

Sincerely,

Trevor Potter
President, Campaign Legal Center