Connecticut Senate Bill SB01044

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/19
• Refer: 3/7/19

Caption

An Act Restoring The Citizens' Election Program.

Impact

The bill aims to amend existing statutes to address how campaign funding is allocated while also revising the criteria for participating candidates within the program. Notably, the implementation of new rules regarding organization expenditures by party committees for supporting candidates will affect how much financial assistance candidates can expect during their campaigns. This is intended to streamline the funding allocation process and maintain a competitive environment among candidates, particularly in primaries and general elections.

Summary

SB01044, titled 'An Act Restoring The Citizens' Election Program,' seeks to reinstate and reform aspects of Connecticut's Citizens' Election Program which provides state funding for political campaigns. The bill focuses on modifying conditions under which candidates may receive grants, thereby promoting equitable competition in elections. One of the significant changes proposed is to eliminate grants for candidates without opponents, heightening the focus on contested elections and encouraging candidates to run against each other in the electoral process.

Contention

However, the bill has faced criticism and raises points of contention among legislators and political groups. Opponents argue that removing funding for unopposed candidates could disincentivize political participation, particularly for those in districts where competition is limited. Concerns have also been raised about the potential for increased reliance on private donations, which could sway candidate priorities away from constituents and towards major donors. The proposed changes could lead to significant transformations in the electoral landscape regarding candidate financing.