Campaign finance reform
Ideas for reforming how elections are paid for, including a proposed constitutional amendment, and the arguments for and against each. Facts come from official and nonpartisan sources. We do not take sides.
The basics
Reform ideas fall into a few families.
A constitutional amendment
American Promise supports an amendment that would let Congress and the states set reasonable limits on raising and spending money in elections. Amendments need two thirds of both houses of Congress and ratification by three quarters of the states.
Disclosure
Requiring groups that spend on elections to name their major donors, so voters know who is behind the ads.
Small donor and public financing
Programs that match small donations with public funds or give voters vouchers, used today in places such as New York City and Seattle.
How amendments work
The National Archives explains the amendment process, step by step.
Where people disagree
Thoughtful people land in different places on this question.
The case for reform
Supporters say the rules since Citizens United let a small number of donors drown out ordinary voters and that only an amendment can restore limits the courts have struck down.
The case against
Opponents say amending the First Amendment is dangerous, that limits protect incumbents, and that more speech, not less, is the answer. Some prefer disclosure alone.
Who is working on it
Institute for Economics and Peace
Its research on Positive Peace finds that low levels of corruption and the free flow of information are pillars of peaceful, resilient societies. Rotary is a strategic partner of IEP. See Vision of Humanity.
American Promise
Leads the cross-partisan campaign for the For Our Freedom Amendment and works with citizens in every state.
Rotarians for The American Promise
Rotarians learning about the amendment and discussing it with the Four-Way Test.
Issue One
A cross-partisan reform group whose ReFormers Caucus includes former members of Congress from both parties.
Institute for Free Speech
Opposes most new limits on political spending. Worth reading to understand the other side.
Trusted sources
Congress.gov
Search the text and status of any proposed constitutional amendment.
Federal Election Commission
Current federal contribution limits and rules.
Ballotpedia: campaign finance
Neutral coverage of reform proposals, ballot measures and court cases.
OpenSecrets
Data on who funds federal and state politics.
Bring it to your club
Use Rotary’s Four-Way Test to host a civil conversation. Try these questions at a club meeting or with Democracy In A Box.
Is it the truth?
What does the proposed amendment actually say? Read the text together before discussing it.
Is it fair to all concerned?
How would each reform affect candidates of every party, including independents?
Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Is there a reform, such as disclosure, that members on all sides could support?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Which change would do the most to earn back public trust in elections?
A program of the Rotary Club of Newport Beach. Rate your project with the 4-7-8-17 framework at 47817.org.
Keep exploring
Download the U.S. Constitution (PDF)
Our free large-print booklet: the full Constitution, the Bill of Rights and all 27 amendments, from the National Archives text. Presented with Democracy In A Box and the Rotary Club of Newport Beach.
Understanding free and fair elections
Our full nonpartisan guide: the life of a ballot, money, maps, reform history and talking across divides.
All topics
Money in politics, fair district maps, campaign finance and polarization.
