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KW: Because so many progressives want public campaign funding (which probably has its merits), some duopolists co-opt that message, and then write bills that promise “public campaign funding” in a sunshiney way, but have the more drastic effect of funneling lots of money to Democratic and Republican politicians, and making life pointedly harder on independent/third party candidates.
Often, the rules are written so that it would be very difficult for an independent or third party candidate to hit the benchmarks or meet the requirements for public funding.
This case should be an interesting test if the courts understand that public funds must be given out fairly, not used as another way to limit the ability of independent and third party candidates to run for office.
from Ballot Access News
Connecticut Lawsuit Over Discriminatory Public Funding Set for January 13, 2010
December 8th, 2009
The U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd circuit, will hear Connecticut’s appeal in Green Party of Connecticut v Garfield on January 13, 2010. The issue is whether the Constitution prohibits states from passing public funding measures for state office that are strongly discriminatory in favor of Democratic and Republican candidates, and strongly discriminatory against independent candidates. The 2nd circuit is only giving 15 minutes for the hearing, which suggest the 3 judges will strongly rely on reading the briefs, which, for the most part, are still being written.
Filed under: 3rd party, campaign finance reform, Green Party, News, politics, progressive politics, third party, US Politics Tagged: | Green Party of Connecticut, Green Party of Connecticut v Garfield, public campaign funding
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