Support the Public Campaign Fund Check-Off


Talking Points for a Letter to the Editor

 

Here are some key points you can adapt into a letter-to-editor or an email to your family, friends, co-workers, etc. Remember that most newspapers will not accept letters over 250 words:

  • Under a special program in North Carolina, the Public Campaign Fund gives judges an alternative source of funds – but the candidates must earn the right to use the Fund by accepting strict fundraising and spending limits.
  • North Carolina is the first state in the nation to put in place a Voter-Owned Elections program for the election of judicial candidates.
  • The Public Campaign Fund also pays for a Voter Guide with vital information about the judicial candidates, the courts, and voter registration.
  • For the period 2004-2008, 78% of the candidates for the NC Supreme Court and Court of Appeals qualified for help from the Public Campaign Fund. In fact, a majority of our state Supreme Court and Court of Appeals members are now Voter-Owned participants.
  • Candidates using the program have included Democrats and Republicans, incumbents and challengers, blacks and whites, men and women.
  • Four million Voter Guides were sent to households across N.C. each relevant election season and are paid for by the Public Campaign Fund.
  • With public financing in place, N.C. bucked a national trend of nasty judicial election campaigns tainted by special interest money.
  • Saying “Yes” for the Public Campaign Fund will not increase your tax or reduce your refund. It just tells the Department of Revenue to transfer $3 into the Fund to support fair courts and fair elections.
  • Look hard for the question about the Public Campaign Fund. If you use an accountant or tax service, you may not even be asked about the Fund. Be sure that they mark the question about the Fund “Yes.” Make the effort, make a difference. Remember the Public Campaign Fund.
  • Search hard and find the question about the Public Campaign Fund. Why? Judges should be fair and impartial and never be beholden to special interests.
  • But judges need funds from somewhere to run election campaigns. The question is who provides the money? Special interests, those who want favor with judges, or you and me, the public?

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