Independent Commission and Up or Down Vote

• An independent commission will determine the amount of funds for each state in each cycle and also set the number of $5 checks required to qualify.
• Congress will be limited to voting up or down on the Commission's proposals--no amendments.

Commissioners

• The majority and minority leaders will each appoint one member and they will appoint the other three members, with the majority electing the Chair.
• Criteria for members: "Members shall be individuals who are nonpartisan and, by reason of their education, experience, and attainments, are exceptionally qualified to perform the duties of members of the commission."

Criteria: Level of Funding

"...Sufficient for voters in each state to learn about the candidates to cast an informed vote, taking into consideration the historic amount of spending of winning candidates, media costs, primary election dates, and any other information the Commission determines is appropriate".

Criteria: Number and Value of Qualifying Contributions

The number and value of qualifying contributions should, "strike a balance between the importance of voter choice and fiscal responsibility, taking into consideration the number of primary and general election participating candidates, the electoral performance of those candidates, program cost, and any other information the Commission determines is appropriate."

Independent and Third Party Candidates

• Defined as candidates or parties who, in the most recent general election involving the office of Senate, President, or Governor, received less than 25% of the vote in the most recent general election.
• To qualify for the maximum funds, these candidates will need to obtain 150% of the number of qualifying contributions that such candidates would be required to obtain if such candidates were major party candidates.
• Pro-rata funds are available to these candidates if they receive more than 100% but less than 150% of qualifying contributions.

Senator Durbin introduces the Fair Elections Now Act:

Back to Legislation