Check "yes" on W2 to fund public campaigns

submitted by Nick Madaj

January 29, 2007 —

It is that time of year again when people will get their W2s and begin to do their tax returns. There is one part of the main tax forms, federal and state, that most people probably do not put too much thought into.

That is the question of whether you want to contribute to the respective public campaign fund for President or Governor. Checking "yes" neither adds to your taxes due nor reduces your refund.

Too few people check this option. Yet this is an opportunity for the public at large to take a step toward taking election campaigns away from the narrow interests that contribute most of the money and to refocus campaigns to the greater public interest.

By having a robust system of public financing, it will reduce the fundraising burdens of those that run for office.

Too often, potential candidates are deterred from running because of the high costs, both personal and financial, that a long campaign season entails.

It is a rare opportunity to be able to specifically designate where your tax money goes.

I would encourage everyone to check "yes" to contribute money to these public campaign funds.

Nicholas Madaj
Student Association Representative