FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 13, 2006

Gail Buckner offers campaign reform solutions

Secretary of State candidate proposes ‘Georgia Fair and Clean Elections Act’

VALDOSTA - State Rep. Gail Buckner (D-Jonesboro), candidate for Georgia Secretary of State, announced her proposals for campaign reform Tuesday during a speech to the Lowndes County Democratic Party.

“It is time to add Saturday to the early voting days.  Our citizens’ schedules make Saturday a logical addition to improve interest in voting,” Buckner said.

Another item on Buckner’s agenda for elections reform includes adding a verifiable paper ballot.  “We must be able to do recounts when needed, as well as to regularly audit to know that every election is fraud free,” continued Buckner.

Buckner is also calling for a Candidates Code of Conduct.  “Robust debate about documented facts, or even philosophical differences, should not be stifled in any way, but citizens deserve elections that are not mired with personal attacks on candidates,” she said.  “Over the years as an elected official, I have authored several pieces of legislation calling for fair campaigns.  Again in the 2006 session, I authored HB 1601, which calls for a code of conduct for candidates.  Today, I am taking that measure a step further by proposing a ‘Georgia Fair and Clean Elections Act.’”

Buckner is proposing restructuring the funding of campaigns to qualified candidates who wish to run for statewide and legislative offices in Georgia. The measure’s aim, says Buckner, “is to diminish special interest influence in addition to increasing voter participation.” Buckner also said that a “Georgia Fair and Clean Elections Act” would allow officials and candidates to spend more time listening to citizens. 

“By providing limited and equal funding, my proposal will level the playing field for qualified candidates as well as enable registered voters to support their preferred candidates through affordable contributions and grass-roots support,” Buckner said.

Prior to qualifying, each candidate would be limited to accepting donations of up to $50 per individual donor to achieve a qualifying fee.  The qualifying fee would be split three ways $25 to the candidates’ political party and $20 to the State Ethics Commission to produce candidates profile publications.  The remaining $5 would go to the State Ethics Commission to fund the public campaign program.

After qualifying each candidate could accept donations of up to $100 per individual and may spend those funds to support their individual campaigns.

Additional public campaign funding to finance statewide candidates and state legislature candidates would be divided equally among the candidates and would originate from the following:

• Voluntary citizen donations to the State Ethics Commission of $5, $10, $15 and upwards to any amount that citizens wish to donate via a check-off box on state income tax return forms

• Fines for ethics violations incurred by candidates violating the “Candidates Code of Conduct” in clear-cut issues such as a candidate not living in the district the candidate qualified for or knowingly accepting illegal donations.

• A portion of candidate qualifying fees.

“Clean” election candidates would not receive money from the state’s general fund.  All funds would come from individuals who voluntarily donate or from candidate code of conduct violations.           

Buckner said she would like to see the issue placed on the 2008 General Election ballot as a constitutional amendment to give Georgia voters a final say.  The enabling legislation would be drawn so that citizens know all the details upfront.  This would be the same process used when creating the Lottery for Education in Georgia.

“Many leaders talk about purging special interests from the political process without offering a way to accomplish such a task. Well, today I am offering a way.”

Buckner also took the time to comment on Georgia’s new Voter ID law.  “I promise to make sure that every single Georgian who needs an ID actually gets a photo ID.” In addition, she pledged to advocate for congressional renewal of the 1965 “Voter’s Rights Act,” scheduled to expire in 2007.

Buckner said she will also push for an independent commission to oversee redistricting. “After the Republican legislative leadership passed and Governor Perdue approved a totally unnecessary redistricting of three state Senate districts in the Athens area during this session, for partisan political gain, it’s clear we need an independent, unbiased process for redistricting in the future,” she said.

Buckner will also ask for legislation to add three additional members to the State Elections Board.  These three members would be appointed by the Council of Superior Court Judges and must be local elections officials and must represent different congressional districts.

 “During the last session as the Republican controlled Governmental Affairs Committee debated elections bills, the State Elections Director was given three minutes to comment on various elections bills.  Georgia citizens deserve better than that.  We need ongoing input from local elections officials who are where the rubber meets the road everyday.”

Buckner is the most experienced state official and the most successful campaigner in the Democratic Primary for Georgia Secretary of State. For more information, visit her official web site at www.gailbuckner.com.

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