Law Commons^™

The New York City Campaign Finance Program: A Reform That Is Working, Nicole A. Gordon, Hyla Pottharst Wagner

Fordham Urban Law Journal

Campaign finance programs, such as New York City's, limit the influence of private money on candidates and come at a relatively modest cost to taxpayers. Campaign finance reform programs, thus, increase the extent to which elections are truly competitive. During a fiscal crisis, we therefore have an even greater need for campaign finance reform and the meaningful democratic elections that reform fosters to ensure that voters generally, rather than special interests, dictate how scarce resources should be allocated. Reform is also necessary to give voters the confidence that their elected officials represent them, and not just wealthy donors, particularly in …