In this week’s episode, Bill talks with two fair elections advocates working to get big money out of political campaigns. One approach they support is public financing for elections. In New York City, for example, if you’re running for city-wide office or city council, any private contribution you receive up to $175 is matched six to one by a public fund. Candidates who have participated in the system say that the majority of their campaign funds comes from small donations made by fellow residents. The advantages are that middle class candidates without access to big donors are able to run to for office, and a more diverse group of voters will get involved in the process by supporting candidates with small donations.
