Overhaul of Voting, Ethics and Campaign Finance of Laws Crucial for Government Function and Credibility
Albany, NY – In the wake of legislative leaders being sentenced to prison for corruption and widespread voting irregularities that caused qualified New Yorkers to be denied the right to vote, a broad coalition of community, labor, faith, good-government and advocacy organizations united on Monday to put forward a plan to resolve the crisis facing New York’s democracy.
The groups, organized under the name “Demand Democracy,” put forward a platform of bold changes to voting, ethics and campaign finance laws that, if enacted, would provide real solutions to the influence wielded by the super rich over our government and breakdown the barriers to voter participation in New York. Urging action before the end of this year’s session in mid-June, the groups called on Governor Cuomo and the Legislature to:
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Institute publicly funded elections: A small donor matching system where small contributions are matched with public dollars will to elevate the voice of everyday New Yorkers who are too often left behind.
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Enact comprehensive campaign finance reform: In addition to publicly financed elections, we need to close the LLC loophole; lower contribution limits for candidates and committees; and institute reasonable limits on transfers to put a check on big money and its ability to influence elections. New York’s legislature should support the call to overturn Citizens United.
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Modernize New York’s Antiquated Voting Processes: Reform NY’s voting laws by enacting automatic registration at a broad range of Government agencies, allow all New Yorkers to register and update their registration online, and providing for more flexible voting opportunities that will strengthen democracy.
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Expand and protect voting rights: Over 40,000 New Yorkers who are on parole must be allowed to vote. We need a full investigation of the purging of voter rolls and new training, support & oversight for boards of elections to make sure that voters are never unfairly removed from the rolls again.
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Restore faith in government: We need meaningful ethics reform, which includes eliminating pension benefits for convicted officials, banning the personal use of campaign funds, creating a full-time legislature with sharp limits on conflicts of interest, and requiring full-disclosure of outside income to make sure politicians work for all the people.
In the remaining weeks of this year’s legislative session, grassroots activists will participate in hundreds of activities to encourage action on the Demand Democracy platform. The activities will include house parties, informational forums, protests and rallies at legislators’ local offices, phone banks and door-to-door canvasses, social media actions, and much more.
Jessica Wisneski, Legislative and Campaigns Director for Citizen Action of New York, said: “Our democracy is in crisis. The super-rich have drowned out the voices of ordinary New Yorkers and far too many are being blocked or discouraged from voting. We are demanding democracy – big, bold changes that will put the people in charge, not the super-rich.”
Bill Lipton, State Director of NY Working Families Party, said: “For years, our electoral system has been set up to allow big money to drown out the voices of voters. This election season has seen more and more New Yorkers standing up to demand fundamental changes to that broken system. Elected officials should listen. We join in calling on Albany to pass the types of common sense reforms we need to protect voting rights for all New Yorkers, level the playing field in our elections, and reinvigorate our democracy.”
Allison Sesso, Executive Director, Human Services Council, said: “The Human Services Council of New York believes that broad Campaign Finance Reform efforts are necessary to build strong communities and ensure all New Yorkers have a voice in the political process. The constituencies we serve each day often feel disenfranchised, not only because they lack the financial resources to participate in a system based on campaign contributions, but because antiquated voting systems and limitations placed on voting keep them out of the voting booth. It is our sincere belief that the services provided by nonprofits to communities are chronically underfunded in part because the voices of those engaged in programs run by nonprofits are muted. We stand with Demand Democracy to bring transparency and fairness to the campaign process and to expand voting rights and access across New York.”
The Reverend Peter Cook, Executive Director, New York State Council of Churches, said: “Churches throughout the State of New York are compelled by a Gospel which demands that we advocate for the poor and the disenfranchised in the halls of power. When unregulated money disproportionately gives strength to those who already have much wealth and influence over those with much less, the Council calls for reforms which equal the playing field and guards against corruption. Moreover, the Council supports every effort to make it easier for citizens to act on their conscience and exercise their right to vote.”
Michael Kink, executive director of the Strong Economy For All Coalition, said: “New Yorkers need an ‘all of the above’ strategy for positive reform from Albany — any less is not enough. We know how to reduce the power of big money over elected officials, and we know how to reduce corruption and influence peddling: now’s the time to make it happen.”
Frank Fauci, President, The Communications Workers of America, Local 1120, said: “In order to restore our democracy, we need to improve the ability of regular people to engage, vote and run for office, while diminishing the influence of exclusive and powerful interests. That means making it easier to register, easier to remain registered and easier to vote; It also means leveling the playing field of those who can contribute, and strong enforcement when these policies are constrained. Finally, we need to protect those holding public office from being tempted by forces of influence, or distracted by other means of income. Let those we put forth work for the people.”
Jasmine Gripper, Legislative Director for the Alliance for Quality Education, said: “Children sit in overcrowded classrooms while the wealthy buy a new tax free yacht. Our schools need repairs and technology upgrades yet the top earners of New Yorkers get tax cuts. We need a government that works for all of us and not just the 1%. The money in politics has created a system where the wealthy are able to buy political favors at the expense of our public institutions, like our schools. This is why we demand democracy. Our government in not for sale. Our schools are not for sale. Our kids’ futures are not for sale.”
Jonathan Westin, Executive Director of NY Communities for Change, said: “Millions of low-income tenants in New York are being forced out of their homes and neighborhoods every year as big real estate interests donate millions to elected officials and block strengthening the rent laws. New York is long overdue for a fair democratic process, free of the influence of real estate money. The Demand Democracy Agenda is the only way forward if we want to end corruption and restore faith in our government.”
Joan Mandle, Executive Director, Democracy Matters, said: “The increased political engagement of young people is evidence of their strong desire for a real democracy. New York State should be a leader in ensuring voting rights and money out of politics. The legislature must act!”
Javier H. Valdés, Co-Executive Director of Make the Road New York, said: “Big money continues to drown out the voices of working-class and low-income New Yorkers under our broken election system. Our communities have had enough of corruption, scandals, and of the seemingly-unlimited campaign contributions of billionaires pushing the priorities of the wealthy. We call on our legislators and Governor Cuomo to focus on this enormous problem before the end of session and overhaul our election system by passing reforms that include publicly-funded elections with a matching system for small contributions, campaign finance reforms, and automating and expanding voter registration. It’s also critical that the State prioritize ensuring that immigrant New Yorkers, who face particular barriers to registration and participation, be able to make their voices heard.”
John Medina, a member-leader with Community Voices Heard Power, said: “As a former soldier who risked his life on the battlefield in foreign lands supposedly to preserve and protect democracy and our way of living, I find it appalling that powerful money interest have made actual democracy in our country an illusion. Their money has basically brought politicians and elections and we the people have seen our country taken from us. While corporate executives and their paid lobbyists go to the bank, we the people find ourselves on the reservations and plantations trying to make stones into bread.”
Rev. Emily McNeill of the Labor-Religion Coalition of NYS, said: “We need reforms that not only stem the influence of big money, but expand the influence of everyday New Yorkers. Our elected officials will not serve the interests of poor, working and middle-class New Yorkers until they are accountable to poor, working and middle-class New Yorkers.”
Diane Tortrup, Co-Organizer, Westchester for Change, said: “We at Westchester for Change are deeply concerned by the corruption in Albany. We have met with our legislators on ethics reform and are committed to helping pass bills that address these issues.”
Bill Samuels, Founder, EffectiveNY, said: “It is absolutely unconscionable that despite the conviction of both leaders of the Legislature and the storm clouds of scandal hanging over the Governor’s Office that there has been no movement on ethics or electoral reform this session. Now is the time for Albany not just to act, but to go big and bold and pass the major, systemic reforms necessary to fundamentally change our state’s government for the better.”
Jonah Minkoff-Zern, Campaign Co-Director, Public Citizen’s Democracy Is For People Campaign, said: “We are proud to be part of the quickly growing democracy movement here in New York and nationwide. It is through grassroots work and advocacy on a the local, state and national levels that we can restore and build a nation that is truly of, by and for the people — not bought and sold by billionaires and big business.”
Alejandra Sorto, Organizer-Long Island Civic Engagement Table, said: “True democracy begins with equal access to the basic right of voting. Communities of color are the most affected by a broken electoral system in New York that makes registration too difficult and drowns out their voices with huge sums from wealthy corporations. We demand deep, permanent reforms to make our electoral system accessible and fair and to guarantee that all New Yorkers are able to cast their ballots and make their voices heard.”
Kate Linker, President, Greater NYC for Change, said: “The people of New York have demonstrated their disgust with corruption and their desire to limit the elevated role of money in politics. These are simple, feasible, and wide-ranging solutions. It is time for Governor Cuomo and the Senate to act on them to restore democracy to our state.”
John Furman, President of the Central New York Citizens in Action, Inc., said: “For too long, wealthy donors and special interests have controlled the political process. Citizens are demanding that we improve and expand New York State’s democratic institutions and institute publicly funded elections, comprehensive campaign finance reform, and ethics changes. The Central New York Citizens in Action, Inc., which represents citizens in Utica, Rome, Herkimer, and Oneida, is excited to be part of the Demand Democracy campaign. We are looking forward to mobilizing our constituents to demand a government that is truly of, by, and for the people.”
The groups taking part in the campaign include: 32BJ SEIU, ALIGN, Alliance for Quality Education, Brennan Center for Justice, Central NY Citizens in Action, Citizen Action of NY, Church Women United in New York State, Common Cause/NY, Community Voices Heard, CWA District 1, CWA Local 1120, Democracy Matters, Democracy Spring NY, Greater NYC for Change, Housing Works, Human Services Council, Hunger Action Network, Labor-Religion Coalition of New York State, Long Island Civic Engagement Table, Long Island Progressive Coalition, Make the Road NY, Metro New York Health Care for All Campaign, New York Civic Engagement Table, New York Communities for Change, New York for Democracy, New York Immigration Coalition, NYS Immigrant Action, New York State Council of Churches, NYPIRG, NY Working Families Party, Public Citizen, RWDSU, Strong Economy for All Coalition, UAW Region 9A, VOCAL NY, Westchester for Change.
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