I’m asking a question about this simply because I do not know the answer.
I consider myself savvy with campaign related important systems, like ocpf, for example.
I did a quick read through of Diane Wilkerson’s first of this year (2005) campaign finance report and what struck me was in the receipts section — there seem to be $2,950 in over-limit contributions, as in, $2,950 was given by contributors over the $500 maximum annual contribution to a campaign. Also, no reimbursements were issued by the campaign, except for about $36,000 to Diane herself.
Is there something I don’t know that allows an individual to donate over $500/calendar year? Am I misunderstanding campaign finance?
Please share widely!
There’s a hard $500 limit for individuals.
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However, Dianne Wilkerson has a history of campaign finance problems. OCPF actually is pretty easy to work with when you’ve accidentally taken an extra $500 and need to give it back, since everybody makes mistakes from time to time.
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However, Dianne seems to play fast and loose with these rules. Either she chooses incompetent treasurers or she is doing something with the money. As a Wilkerson constituent, I’d love to have a more responsive, more ethical option to vote for who could still get stuff done.
Not on point to Wilkerson, but it’s interesting to note that at least one other State’s per year campaign contribution limit was ruled unconstitutional. If anyone’s interested in the cite for the case, I’ll dig it out. Seems that a per election cycle limit is OK, but a per year limit unfairly favors incumbents who already are in office. Since Clean Elections was killed legislatively (thanks to the Massachusetts incumbent protection program) perhaps it’s time for a judicial attack on the status quo. Personally, in the internet age where there can be near instant disclosure of all contributions, I favor a no limits approach with a “use it or lose it” sweep of funds into the political party accounts at the end of the cycle to keep incumbents from building war chests. (I think Montigny holds the record now, with more than $1 million in the bank!!) Let all candidates, including incumbents, start on equal footing each election cycle and watch how much more competitive our politics become.