The Ventura County Democratic Central Committee passed the following Resolution last night by unanimous vote. Members of the Committee feel strongly that in light of the recent activist Supreme Court rulings breaking the long-standing, anti-corporate personhood interpretation of the United States Constitution that the only way to have fair elections is to have publicly-financed ones.

A good example of the problem is the over $7 million dollars raised on the Tony Strickland (R), Hannah-Beth Jackson (D) race for the California 19th State Senate District race which made it the most expensive legislative campaign in California history. Strickland raised $4.3 million to win the seat, and Jackson raised $2.7 million and lost. Over 60% of Tony Strickland’s contributions came from corporations, business leaders and individuals outside of the 19th State Senate District. When one sees numbers like this, one must ask who the elected really represents.

The average politician spends 4 hours per day fund raising to get elected to office.

The full text of the Resolution passed is:

Endorsement of California Fair Elections Act campaign activities in Ventura County
Author: Jay Kapitz
Sponsor: Sandra Kinsler

WHEREAS, The California Fair Elections Act on the June 2010 ballot creates a voluntary system for candidates for Secretary of State to qualify for a public campaign grant if they agree to strict spending limits and take no private contributions.

WHEREAS, Candidates under the California Fair Elections Act would have to qualify before receiving the grant, would have to demonstrate sufficient public support would receive the same amount and would be prohibited from raising or spending money beyond the grant.

WHEREAS, The Ventura County Fair Elections campaign is organizing events including but not limited to awareness meetings, tabling, phone banking, and canvassing in Ventura County,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ventura County Democratic Central Committee shall support these activities.