Get Started Petitioning for Clean ElectionsI'm sure you've all looked over the brochure and if you have any questions on anything don't hesitate to contact me, either by email or phone. Even as Publicly funded elections seems like a no-brainer, explaining it to those who have never heard of it is really kind of an art, because its a lot of information, while most people don't have alot of patience. So through my experience of working to build support for this program we've came up with a rap that explains Clean Elections in a simple way most people can understand. Everyone has their own way of explaining that works, this is really just a guideline to get you started if you haven't already:------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------You: Hello, have you heard of Clean Elections? =D

Friend: No.

You: Do you have a minute? I'd like to tell you about this petition.

Friend: Okay, sure.

You: Thanks. In 2008, students and community members got together and passed this bill called Clean Elections with intention of reducing the influence big business has on our local government.

Right now in Hawaii we import 90% of our food while we have a year-round growing season, which is ridiculous, burn oil for 85% of our energy while we have renewable resources here in abundance, and on top of that, mainland development firms control most of development which makes it hard to build sustainably.

The reason we're in this situation is because, a lot of the time, mainland food distribution companies, oil companies, and development firms come and pay our politicians in the form of "campaign donations" which, most of the time, come with strings attached.

We can stop this though. By giving candidates the option to qualify for full public funding through showing community support, we can make sure elections are more about the people and less about fundraising. By running on public funding politicians are not allowed to, and don't have to, accept money from private donors and can run solely on the power of ideas. We have this program in our county council and 4 out of our 9 council members have run on it and won on it -- its successful. The only problem is because its a "pilot" program, its set to expire in 2014 and we don't want to let that happen. We want to make it permanent and expand it to all of our elections. Would you be willing to sign our petition to make this happen?

Friend: Hell yes.

You: Right on, thank you. If you write "yes" on the "stay connected" box, when the time comes for the bill to pass we will be sending out an email with a easy link to click to generate testimony, and we want to get all the testimony we can

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Then, if they're really interested they'll ask you details, here’s the main questions you be asked, and may be wondering yourself:“How does it work?”In order to qualify, candidates have to:

1. Collect 200 signatures from registered voters in their district. Each signature must be accompanied with a $5 contribution. (This shows they have support in their district to get campaign money. The level of signatures and contributions is set to show a legitimate amount of support but not too many signatures that it’s too difficult for anyone to participate)

2. Agree not to raise any money from private sources.

3. Abide by the rules of the program.

Candidates who qualify for public funding are then issued a base allotment of money in order to begin their campaign.“How much Money would a candidate get?”Candidates who qualify for public funds are given the average amount of money that it takes to win that particular office and district. For example, if an average race for district judge costs $30,000, then the candidate is given that amount. They may spend more than the $30,000 (up to twice the original allotment) if a competing candidate outspends the publicly financed candidate. This ensures that candidates stay competitive, while at the same time making sure unnecessary funds are not depleted from the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund.“Where does the money come from?”During the 1978 Constitutional Convention Hawaii realized the dangers of holding elections for candidates who increasingly raised money from interests outside of Hawaii, so delegates created Hawaii’s the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund for candidates to get partial public funding. The money comes from at $3 check off on our taxes. It’s been building up ever since and currently the fund has close to $5 million in it. You can always refer them to the voterownedhawaii.org page as well.