74 posts found, showing 20 per page

Alerts and Updates WVCCE February 24, 2019
Tell Senators to Say NO to More Money in WV Elections
On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee just passed a major campaign finance overhaul bill that would allow even more big money into a system that already favors the wealthy and special interests. SB 622 increases campaign contribution limits from $1,000 to $2,800 for candidates, to $5,000 for PACs, and to $10,000 per year for party committees. This would be disastrous for ordinary working West Virginians who struggle to have their voices heard above the special interests that try to buy our elections. Contact your Senators and tell them we need more disclosure of political spending in our elections, not more money. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Dark Money, Democracy, Disclosure, Secret Money, Transparency

Alerts and Updates WVCCE February 15, 2019
By George, Are you Abe-le to Help Us Promote the #WVProDemocracy Platform?
Let Abe do the walkin' ... er' talkin'. Join us at the Capitol on President's Day to help promote the Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform. If you have the day off, come stamp your bills to help spread the word about the need to protect voting rights and fight the influence of money in politics; then lobby your legislators and ask them to support the platform. We'll be in the Upper Rotunda, Senate side starting at 9 AM.  More
Issues: Clean Elections, Democracy

Alerts and Updates WVCCE February 2, 2019
Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform Update
Good news! Several bills have been introduced that advance the goals of the Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform and the list is growing. Two of these bills have started to work their way through the legislative process. We’ll continue to keep you posted. In the meantime, here’s the list of Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform bills that have been introduced so far. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Democracy, Fair Courts, Voting Rights

WVCCE Blog WVCCE January 28, 2019
Pro-Democracy Platform: Voting Rights Restoration, Court Bills Advancing (Updated 2/2/2019)
As we mentioned last week, several bills have been introduced that help advance the goals of the Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform. Two of these bills have started to work their way through the legislative process. More details here, along with a complete list of bills we’re supporting as part of the Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Democracy, Fair Courts, Voting Rights

Alerts and Updates WVCCE January 27, 2019
This Is What Democracy Looks Like, And You’re In It
It's a new year, and a new WV Legislature, and you can help West Virginia Citizens for Clean Elections advance the Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform during the 2019 West Virginia Legislative Session. When legislators listen to regular West Virginians, they can work with us to pass bills that make West Virginia a better place to live. The governor can sign those bills into law, and our courts can uphold those laws. But too often, our politicians look like they are listening to big-money special interests rather than people like you and me. It’s time to make them listen. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Democracy, Fair Courts, Transparency, Voting Rights

WVCCE Blog WVCCE January 22, 2019
The Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform: Get Up, Stamp Up for Your Rights
We had a great time last week promoting the Pro-Democracy Anti-Corruption Platform at Kids and Families Day hosted by the Our Children, Our Future (OCOF) campaign. We also encouraged folks to help spread the word about the need to fight the influence of money in politics, and demonstrate support for the solution by stamping their money with messages like “Stamp Money Out of Politics, “Not to Be Used to Buy Elections,” and “Stop the Attack on Voting Rights.” Several bills have been introduced that advance the goals of the platform have been introduced. Learn more here. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Dark Money, Democracy, Disclosure, Voting Rights

Press Release WVCCE October 22, 2018
Film Screening & Discussion to Highlight Need for Reform
Dark money groups spend millions to shape our elections at all levels of government without revealing where their money comes from. But it doesn't have to be this way. ‘Dark Money’ (darkmoneyfilm.com) takes viewers to Montana to follow an intrepid local journalist working to expose the real-life impacts of the US Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision. The film also shows how attorneys, elected officials, and local activists in Montana fought back and won. Come see the film and be inspired to help us fight big money in West Virginia elections More
Issues: Citizens United, Clean Elections, Dark Money, Democracy, Disclosure

Document WVCCE October 8, 2018
Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Campaign Flier
The document below contains two versions of our Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption campaign flier. A half-page, double-sided flier (two per page) and a full page. Download the filer here or email julie@wvoter-owned.org to request copies. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Democracy

WVCCE Blog WVCCE October 1, 2018
Join Us in October for a Screening of ‘Dark Money’
Join us at the Underground Cinema by WVIFF for October's Movies That Matter Monday's Film, 'Dark Money,' a political thriller that examines one of the greatest present threats to American democracy: the influence of untraceable corporate money on our elections and elected officials. But the citizens of one state won’t allow their democracy to be dismantled without a fight. You can join them. More
Issues: Citizens United, Clean Elections, Dark Money, Democracy, Secret Money

Press Release Julie Archer September 17, 2018
WV Citizens for Clean Elections to Launch Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform
We're launching a campaign to build support for common sense solutions that they say can put state government on a path to solving problems that affect all West Virginians. The Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform would increase accountability and transparency in West Virginia elections, make voting more accessible to all  citizens, limit the influence of big money in our politics, ensure fairness and impartiality in our courts, and increase citizen participation in the electoral process. Our growing campaign already has thirty-seven legislative candidates from across the aisle supporting reform agenda to make W.Va. politics clean, fair and accountable. The list includes Democrats, Republicans, and Independents, as well as Libertarian and Mountain party candidates. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Democracy, Voting Rights

Press Release WVCCE September 10, 2018
Petition demands fair, transparent judicial elections
With impeachment trials for current and former members of the WV Supreme Court of Appeals set begin in the State Senate tomorrow, WV Citizens for Clean Elections is worried that the legislative response to the recent spending scandal could enable a single party, through a pre-planned partisan impeachment process, to seize control of the third branch of Government for the next two years. We are urging West Virginians to sign the Our Court, Our Vote petition, which is addressed to Governor Jim Justice and members of the WV Legislature, and which demands a prompt and transparent special election for any open seats on the Supreme Court. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Disclosure, Fair Courts, Transparency, WV Supreme Court

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer November 3, 2016
W.Va. outside spending reaches $19.2 million
Five days from the election, outside spending in West Virginia elections has reached $19.2 million this election cycle. Outside groups have reported spending an additional $4.1 million dollars over the past week. More
Issues: Citizens United, Clean Elections, Democracy, Disclosure, Secret Money

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer August 3, 2016
Speak Up! We Need Senator Manchin to Support Democracy Reforms
In Congress, some lawmakers have proposed solutions to put regular voters back in control of our elections: The We the People package and the Fair Elections Now Act. This is our chance to be heard. Tell Senator Manchin to put everyday Americans first and cosponsor the We the People package and the Fair Elections Now Act. More
Issues: Citizens United, Clean Elections, Dark Money, Democracy, Disclosure, Public Financing, Secret Money

Press Release Julie Archer May 12, 2016
Special Interests Win in Supreme Court Takeover
Wealthy special interests win in West Virginia Supreme Court race, but without full knowledge of who was behind outside efforts to elevate Beth Walker. Our judges should be selected on their merits not on attack ads or money spent by special interests. More
Issues: Citizens United, Clean Elections, Disclosure, Fair Courts, Public Financing, Secret Money, WV Supreme Court

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer April 22, 2016
Judicial Public Financing: Moving Away from Corruption in the Courtroom
Our state’s judicial public financing system has given voters the ability to choose a judiciary that is truly independent because publicly financed candidates don’t have to rely on support from lawyers and special interest contributors who frequently have cases before the court. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Fair Courts, Public Financing, WV Supreme Court

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer April 12, 2016
2016 Fair Courts State Summit: Justice for All
As of April 20, the 2016 Fair Courts State Summit has been postponed. Most likely it will be rescheduled after Election Day. Please check back later for details or contact us if you would like to be notified once the event has been rescheduled. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Fair Courts

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer April 6, 2016
Join us in DC April 16-18 for Democracy Awakening!
Later this month, thousands of people will be coming together in our nation's capital to demand a democracy that works for all of us – where our votes are not denied and money doesn’t buy access and power. More
Issues: Citizens United, Clean Elections, Democracy, Disclosure, Public Financing, Voting Rights

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer March 24, 2016
Supreme Court Hears Public Financing Appeals
A temporary panel of judges sitting in for members of the WV Supreme Court of Appeals agreed with the State Election Commission's decision to award public financing to Brent Benjamin and Bill Wooton. Their opponent, Beth Walker, had challenged the SEC's decision based on procedural technicalities. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Fair Courts, Public Financing, WV Supreme Court

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer February 15, 2016
State Election Commission Certifies Candidates for Public Financing
Two candidates have qualified to receive public financing during for this year’s Supreme Court election. Beckley lawyer and former legislator Bill Wooton and Justice Brent Benjamin were both certified to receive public funds by the State Election Commission despite objections from Beth Walker, who is challenging them in the race. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Fair Courts, WV Supreme Court

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer February 15, 2016
WV Senate GOP Stalls Campaign Finance Bill
SB 408, a campaign finance bill that would increase contribution limits, stalled in committee after Senators amended the bill to increase disclosure of third-party political spending. It remains to be seen if the bill will reconsidered. In the meantime, six Democrats in the House introduced HB 4527, which would require any group that spends more than $1,000 to influence our elections to say where the money came from. The bill would also close the “covered transfers” loophole that allows so-called “social welfare” groups to serve as money conduits to Super PACs. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Dark Money, Disclosure, Secret Money