Special interest money and "good connections" should not determine the outcome of our city elections and city policy decisions. 

Our last November 2005 election was the most expensive election in Benicia's history by far.  We want controls put on this trend NOW, before our 2007 city elections. 

• We want a low spending ceiling to ensure that candidates in our elections can spend a maximum amount of time speaking to voters about isssues, rather than needing to focus significant time and energy on campaign fundraising, often from wealthy interests. 
• We want opportunities for a diversity of candidates, not just those who have $50,000 to spend for campaigning. 
• We want low contribution limits so that the small contributions from average citizens can have a more equal influence in our elections.
• We want special interest groups and corporations - who are not based in Benicia - to refrain from using their enormous funds to distort and influence our local elections.
• We want guidelines for clean, honest financial reporting and disclosure-- prompt, publicly accessible and publicized.
• And we want ethical campaigning by ALL parties, including independent PACs and "educational committees."

If these issues concern you, please come to our occasional meetings and help us with this campaign.  We need you!

We meet on occasional Thursdays, 7-9 p.m.
at Camellia Tea Room, 828 First Street, Benicia

If you cannot come to our meetings but would like to help out, please email us with your phone number and someone will call you to discuss ways you can help -- for instance, by gathering petition signatures or surveys, calling, etc.

Email:   benicia.fair.elections@gmail.com

Website:  http://benicia.fair.elections.googlepages.com