In January 2017, the LWV of Vermont was asked to join the Joint Committee on Campaign Finance Education, Compliance and Reform formed by Sec. Of State Jim Condos and Atty General TJ Donovan. 

The Jt. Committee is charged with analyzing existing campaign finance law, collecting public testimony and making recommendations for changes to campaign finance law, implementation and enforcement. The Committee is gathering public comments from citizens, voters, elected officials, political parties and PACs at public hearings hosted across the state.

To date, the Jt. Committee has held public hearings in Montpelier, Burlington, Bennington and White River Junction and public forums are scheduled this fall for St. Johnsbury, Brattleboro, St. Albans and possibly Burlington again. 

At the well-attended hearings some common themes from citizens have emerged, such as the need to address campaign contribution limits, clarify financial disclosure rules and reexamination of our current election cycle. 

Once the public hearings are completed the Joint Committee will issue a comprehensive report that will summarize all public comments, articulate the campaign finance issues and make recommendations for reform.

The League of Women Voters of the United States has a longstanding position on improving methods of financing political campaigns in order to ensure the public’s right to know, combat corruption and undue influence, enable candidates to compete more equitably for public office and promote citizen participation in the political process. 

The Vermont League’s participation on the Joint Committee on Campaign Finance Education, Compliance and Reform signifies the League’s continuing commitment to open and honest elections and for maximum citizen participation in the political process. For more information on the Joint Committee on Campaign Finance Education, Compliance and Reform contact league [at] lwvofvt.org