Democracy Wire

Ballot Question A asks whether Baltimore County voters want to establish a Citizens' Election Fund, also known as a fair elections program, in the county. There are four main reasons to vote Yes for A: keep big money out of politics, expand opportunities to run for office, give everyone a voice, and encourage more participation in our democracy.

This session Common Cause Maryland helped move significant reforms that secured and implemented previous legislative victories, responded to 2018 election issues, and advanced technical reforms on a range of issues – teeing up more work to be done in 2020.

The industries spending most heavily to influence decision-makers in Annapolis haven’t changed much in the last three years. But the amount they are spending jumped by almost $2 million this year, according to research by Common Cause Maryland.

The Montgomery County Council held public hearings this week on the proposed FY16 budget. Concerned citizens testified at each hearing, calling on the County Council to put $2 million into the budget to fund fair elections (Public Election Fund).