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October 11, 2024, 3:54 pm
When it comes to elections, voters need as much information about political candidates as possible – including who their financial backers are, according to Laura Smits, Director of Communications for the League of Women Voters of Connecticut.
“Candidates should be like race car drivers,” Smits said. “We should see who all their sponsors are. We should know where their money is coming from.”
Even though the League of Women Voters has been offering its voter guide since 2006, this year’s VOTE411 Voter Guide will, for the first time, provide people with a campaign finance feature, which will include financial backers of federal candidates as the country heads into the 2024 elections.
Representatives of The League of Women Voters of Connecticut said all Connecticut races for state and federal legislative offices have been published on VOTE411.org.
The campaign finance data is provided by OpenSecrets, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization that tracks and publishes campaign finance data. The information, Smits said, will be regularly updated through the election cycle.
“One of the things we have always prided ourselves on is our nonpartisanship and we believe in transparency so people know where candidates are getting their money,” Smits said, adding all necessary information to empower voters is all in one place.
VOTE411.org also includes candidate information, voter registration, and polling place locations.
Smits said candidates are encouraged to participate as it’s a great place to let voters know about them and what their stances are on the issues. It is, however, on the candidates to choose to participate.
“If a candidate isn’t there, voters – reach out and ask them why not,” Smits said.
Connecticut candidates were invited to upload their biographies and to answer questions – created by League members from both parties – about issues.
By going to VOTE411.org, the state’s voters can see who will be on their ballot by filling in their address.
While 67% of Americans voted in 2020, that still left about 80 million who did not.
Smits said the League wants voters to feel energized and included.
“The thing that’s disturbing is the apathy out there, and there is a lot of apathy,” Smits said. “We just really want people to turn out.”
Smits said the more information that can be provided to voters will help them feel more comfortable in exercising their right at the polls.
“That’s always our hope,” Smits said.
