OAKLAND, CA<\/strong> \u2013 Voters overwhelmingly approved Measure W in Oakland today, signaling a desire for a more participatory, responsive, and accountable local democracy. With anti-democratic forces on the march around the nation, Oakland is pushing back.<\/p>\r\n Measure W creates a Democracy Dollars program to revolutionize campaign financing for local elections. It will enable all eligible Oaklanders to receive four $25 vouchers to support local political candidates of their choice, making every household a potential donor household and bringing power back to the people.<\/p>\r\n \u201cFor too long, our elections have been funded by wealthy special interests and out of state donors. In recent years, over half of money raised by city council and school board candidates was from people who don\u2019t even live in Oakland. Measure W will empower Oaklanders to have a bigger influence, and ensure candidates are listening to voters rather than special interests.\u201d - Liz Suk, Oakland Rising<\/strong><\/p>\r\n Measure W will also increase transparency on independent expenditure political ads, extend the ban on revolving door lobbying, decrease political contribution caps, and ensure Oaklanders have real power to advocate for the things our city needs: affordable housing, safe streets, better schools, and a government that is responsive to the people.<\/p>\r\n \u201cWe\u2019re already hearing from reformers in other cities who are inspired by our victory tonight in Oakland. Democracy Dollars represents the future of campaign finance reform, and I\u2019m proud that Oakland is helping to lead the way.\u201d - Jonathan Mehta Stein, California Common Cause<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \u201cBy requiring candidates to participate in public debates, Oaklanders will have more opportunity to develop a better understanding of the candidates\u2019 plans for the issues that impact their lives--like housing, community safety, and public schools--and allocate their democracy dollars vouchers accordingly\u201d - Ashley Morris, ACLU of Northern California<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \u201cIn an era of money-dominated politics, Oakland voters showed the way forward by passing the Fair Elections Act today. The democracy dollars program gives every citizen the means to back candidates of their choice. Candidates can run for office and win being focused on the voters, rather than big campaign donors. Oakland will soon be electing the best leaders, regardless of whether they are the best fundraisers.\u201d - Daniel G. Newman, Maplight<\/strong><\/p>\r\n ##<\/p>\r\n