8 Things You Can Do for REAL Campaign Finance Reform
Compiled by Wesleyan Students for Clean Elections

 

1. Educate Yourself
Find out about how money influences your government and the issues that you care about. Understand how we can reform our system with full public financing to eliminate special interest influence and free are legislators to do our work, not the work of monied interests. Sign up for Public Campaign's OUCH! bulletin for regular updates on how money corrupts politicians and their publications. Check out our resource page for more information on CFR.

2. Know Your Legislators
Find out who your legislators are at the federal, state and local levels. Don't know who your legislators are? Check out Project Vote Smart. Find out where your President, Senators and Representatives get their money at the Center for Responsive Politics.

3. Tell Your Legislators
Call you legislators and tell them that you support REAL reform. Write them letters. Send them e-mails. Get contact information from Project Vote Smart. Tell them that votes against reform will mean votes against them in the next election. 

4. Vote Reform
To make reform a reality, we need people in the halls of power who will be the voice of the people against the powerful lobbies. Senators Feingold, Kerry, Wellstone and McCain are shining examples of legislators who are trying to change the system. By voting for pro-reform legislators we make a strong statement for CFR, let politicians know that they must listen to the people and strengthen the legislative coalition. Contact your legislators to find out their stance on campaign finance reform and let them know what you think at the ballot box.

5.Watch the News
Read the daily news. Think about how money in politics may have influenced some of the stories the paper is reporting. Watch for CFR bills being discussed so you can let your representatives know how you feel. Send any relevant stories to SCE so we can post them on our site.

6. Write a Letter to the Editor
Let people in your area know why its important to support reform, especially around the time of votes on CFR legislation or when fundraising scandals happen. Click here for tips on writing letters to the editor.

7. Tell Your Friends
People are more likely to be convinced of a position by someone they trust, i.e. you. Bring the issue up in political discussions and explain why you support CFR.

8. Find Other Reformers
To win this fight we need to organize. Find a CFR contact in your state at Public Campaign's website. If you live in Connecticut, check out the Wesleyan Students for Clean Elections coalition building page.