We’re bringing democracy back to the people
Our communities deserve a genuine say in the decisions that shape our lives. Yet, big money from corporate interests, millionaire donors, and wealthy special interests are pouring money into local elections, drowning out community voices and wresting more and more control in how our cities are run. Democracy Dollars is a program that can change that and put democratic power back into the hands of people like us.
Under this program, every eligible voter is mailed four Democracy Dollars vouchers worth $25 each that can only be donated to candidates running for local office. These candidates then redeem those vouchers with the city for campaign funds. The program turns every household into a potential donor household.
Implementing Democracy Dollars in San José means empowering residents to actively participate in local politics, even in the face of formidable corporate and real estate influences. By empowering every eligible voter to contribute directly to local candidates, we break the cycle of dependency on big money donors and give the community a real say in shaping the city’s future.
Democracy Dollars can be a critical tool to give people more power in our electoral process, and by extension in our governance — especially those who have historically been excluded from our democracy.
Lucila Ortiz, Political Director
Why it matters
Money in politics can have an outsized impact on who runs and who wins, from the state and federal level down to local contests, and San Jose is no exception. In June 2022, San Jose’s mayoral race set a new record with candidates collectively spending over $8 million, surpassing the city’s previous highest campaign spending mark.
A recent MapLight report revealed that campaign contributions in San Jose skyrocketed from $1,901,028 in 2018 to $7,021,227 in 2022, with 81% of funds contributed by high-dollar donors and 48% coming from non-residents. The report also showed a clear connection between donations and wealthier neighborhoods, emphasizing the growing impact of wealth on local elections.
It’s time to break the cycle
It’s time to create representative cities that work for everyone, and Democracy Dollars is a powerful solution to shift the balance of power and empower small donors like you, giving grassroots, community-backed candidates the opportunity to thrive and ensuring that every voice counts.
- Boosts the Power of Small Donors: The Democracy Dollars program, as demonstrated in Seattle, leads to an 800% increase in the number of donors, giving more power to small contributors.
- Empowers Community-Backed Candidates: By removing the need for personal wealth and access to power, Democracy Dollars enable candidates from BIPOC, immigrant, and working-class communities to run competitive campaigns.
- Enhances Diversity Across Race, Gender, and Income: The program fosters diversity across race, gender, and income among donors, candidates, and voters.
We have the power to level the playing field. The Democracy Dollars program is one solution to increase the power of small donors and make space for grassroots, community-backed candidates to thrive. Democracy Dollars helps ensure that everyone’s voice is heard.