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Public Forum: Election Campaign Contribution Limits (Staff Presenter: Ralph Karpinos, Town Attorney) |
Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos, said the Public Forum was called to hear citizen comments on whether adjustments to the Town’s campaign contribution regulations should be considered by the Council. The current regulations were established in 1999 by the Town Council, he said. He said in 2006 the United States Supreme Court issued an opinion, Randal v. Sorrell, providing additional guidance on the rationale needed to justify campaign contribution restrictions and he reviewed the Supreme Court Opinion for the Council.
Kevin Wolfe said he believes that substantial change of limits would not benefit the Town. He appreciates there have been some changes in the law but still feels that Chapel Hill should keep its limits low. Mr. Wolfe referenced a recent race for Judge and quoted figures of how much the candidates have raised for their campaigns. On other issues, He said he felt it was inappropriate to contract with Tim Dempsey as a consultant since Mr. Dempsey had been Bill Strom’s campaign manager. He said that he has volunteered for three of the Town Boards and had not been appointed. He felt that the campaign contribution information and the previous vote by the Council to extend the Mayor’s term was curious.
Council Member Kleinschmidt felt that it is not necessary to change the Town’s current campaign restrictions. He said it is possible to finance a campaign with $100 and feels there is no need to adjust for inflation. He was intrigued by the memo from the National Voting Rights Institute analysis of the Randall decision. He said there may be more ways to control campaign spending on a local level and to look closely at public financing and he encouraged the rest of the Council to read the memo and suggested it may offer some strength in Town arguments with its local representatives.
Council Member Hill said he agrees with Council Member Kleinschmidt not to change the existing limits. He stated that before he became a Council member he applied for advisory boards and was appointed. He was able to accomplish this by contacting Council members to encourage them to vote for him. Now, as a Council Member, when he votes for people to be appointed to an advisory board he either takes the recommendation of the advisory board or he may vote for the citizen if he has been solicited or lobbied by the applicant, he explained. He said Tim Dempsey is a valued consultant for the Town and that he felt it is not a money making endeavor and Mr. Dempsey’s connection with the Council is totally incidental to getting the job, Council Member Hill said.
Council Member Green agreed with Council Members Kleinschmidt’s and Hill’s comments. She clarified that there is no connection to campaign contributions and when the Council changed the law of the election of the mayor. She said it was a housekeeping change and a responsible action to be in conformance with the state constitution.
Mayor Foy stated that the point of adopting the campaign contribution regulations in 1999 was to forestall the influence of campaign contributions which were growing astronomically in surrounding areas. He said the amount set is successful and he is in agreement with Council Member Kleinschmidt.
Mayor pro tem Strom said the key element or the Town’s local campaign contribution ordinance is an effective disclosure element. Having the disclosure at $20 allows voters to see who is supporting their candidates. He said he would like to see earlier reporting of campaign contributions. He suggested the Council think about changing the Town’s reporting requirements that would require candidates to report earlier.
Council Member Easthom asked about voter owned elections.
Mr. Karpinos said that did not get favorable treatment in the General Assembly.
Council Member Easthom said it was important to encourage people who cannot afford to run for office to do so.
Council Member Ward spoke in favor of supporting campaign contributions that stay low. He values keeping the lid on money that one feels they need to raise to have an appropriate campaign. He said that if you keep the lower figures on contributions it will encourage newcomers to envision running for office. He agrees with Mayor pro tem Strom regarding earlier reporting.
Council Member Kleinschmidt stated that some of the most expensive Council races have been failures. He said there was a lot of money spent by the candidates and they lost the race. The political reality is you can get yourself elected by getting out in the community, he said.
Council Member Thorpe said he has run for office many times. He said the limits are good and should remain the same. He said the key is to get to as many people as you can when you are campaigning. When he managed a judge’s campaign, he said, if they received a two dollar contribution, it was reported. Council Member Thorpe stressed how important it is to report everything.
The Public Forum was adjourned by consensus.
Council Member Cam Hill MOVED, SECONDED BY Mayor pro tem Bill Strom, TO Enter Into Closed Session as authorized by NC General Statute section 143-318.11(a)(6) to consider matters related property. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).