“Free and Fair Elections” Initiative Would Ban Corporate Dollars in Local Elections

Youngstown residents propose law to prohibit outside campaign spending

A Press Release from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, from April 30, 2017.

YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO: Frustrated by the influence of outside money on local elections, community members in Youngstown are kicking off their petition campaign for a “free and fair elections” law. The measure – known as the Peoples’ Bill of Rights for Fair Elections and Access to Local Government – prohibits campaign contributions from outside individuals and corporations. Specifically:

“Corporations, labor unions, political action committees, political parties, and all other campaign funding entities shall be prohibited from donating to local candidate and issue campaigns or spending money to influence the outcome of any ballot measure or candidate, as those contributions unfairly influence electoral outcomes and undermine the peoples’ right to fair elections. MORE…