As a way to engage local
leaders in the effort to win campaign finance reform, N.C. Voters for Clean
Elections (NCVCE), the broad coalition which includes Democracy North Carolina,
launched the Civic Leaders Project in late 1999. NCVCE found widespread support
for "Voter-Owned," Clean Elections among current and retired local
elected officials; they are acutely aware of the need to change the way we
finance campaigns in
Civic leaders,
appointees to state boards and commissions, and political donors also know first-hand the problems
with the money chase now overwhelming state politics. Similarly, in 2001, when
the focus was on judicial campaign reform, NCVCE found widespread support among
attorneys and judges for creating a public-financing alternative in
statewide judicial elections. Their visible support proved crucial in gaining
passage of the judicial reform bill.
The Civic Leaders Project
involves formally asking these community leaders to sign a support statement
for Voter-Owned Elections. In a variety of specialized letters, former U.S.
Senator Robert B. Morgan of Lillington invited leaders to join their
peers who had already signed a support statement.
More than 1,000 local
elected officials (200 mayors, etc.) have signed the support statement for
Voter-Owned Elections! (Some are now no longer in office, but many continue to
provide leadership in their communities for reform.) More than 1,000 attorneys
signed a statement for Judicial Campaign Reform.
Here are copies of Morgan's letter and statements that can be downloaded,
signed and returned. A partial list of those signing is also available here.
· Letter from
Former Sen. Robert Morgan to Civic Leaders
· Endorsement
Statement for Local Elected Leaders
· List of Local
Elected Leaders Who Have Signed
· Endorsement
Statement for Civic Leaders & Campaign Donors
· List of Civic
Leaders & Campaign Donors Who Have Signed
· Endorsement
Statement for Attorneys
· List of
Attorneys Who Have Signed
Please feel free to print
or copy these documents for use in your own organizing efforts, and thanks for
your support! Similar actions are occurring across the nation; to learn more,
contact Public Campaign,
the national coordinators of Voter-Owned, Clean Elections reform.