MESSAGE FOR NEWSLETTER / EMAIL ALERT
FOR PUBLIC CAMPAIGN FUND CHECK-OFF

You can adapt the copy below for a newsletter or an email message. The first item is 230 words; the second is 145 words. Call the number at the end if you need more information. We also encourage people to write Letters-to-Editor in support of the check-off.

A summary of the new law may be viewed if you click here.

Say "Yes" to Public Campaign Fund on N.C. Tax Form
To Support Fair Elections and Fair Courts

Would you rather have North Carolina judges raising campaign money from the attorneys and business interests who appear in their courts - or from a public fund they can tap if they agree to strict spending limits?

Which way promotes fairness in our courts and gives all qualified candidates a chance, even if they are not personally wealthy?

North Carolina now has the nation's first "Clean Elections" public financing program for judicial candidates. It's a major breakthrough for "voter-owned elections" in N.C. - but it won't work without public participation!

In 2004, 12 of the 16 candidates for the N.C. Supreme Court and Court of Appeals received help from the Public Campaign Fund in exchange for accepting strict spending and fundraising limits.

The Public Campaign Fund also paid for sending four million Voter Guides across the state, with information about the courts and candidates.

But the program won't survive unless hundreds of thousands of taxpayers find the check-off question about the Public Campaign Fund on the N.C. income-tax form. The check-off doesn't change your tax bill and refund; it just transfers $3 to the Public Campaign Fund for each person who says "Yes."

Look hard, find the check-off on your tax return and spread the message: Say "Yes" for Fairness, Say "Yes" to the Public Campaign Fund.

For more information, call 1-888-OUR-VOTE or go to www.ncjudges.org.


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Say "Yes" to Public Campaign Fund on N.C. Tax Form

You can do something very special when you fill out your tax return this year.

In many states, special-interest groups are spending millions to influence who gets elected as a judge. But in North Carolina, judges have another option.

In 2004, four of the five winning candidates for the N.C. Supreme Court and Court of Appeals received help from the Public Campaign Fund in exchange for accepting strict fundraising limits.

The Public Campaign Fund also sent four million Voter Guides across the state, with information about the courts and candidates.

Fair courts and fair elections go together. But this program needs your help.

Find the question about the Public Campaign Fund on your N.C. income-tax return and check it YES. Saying “Yes” doesn't change your tax bill and refund; it just transfers $3 to the new Public Campaign Financing Fund for each person who says "Yes."

For more information, call 1-888-OUR-VOTE or go to www.ncjudges.org.