McCain Voices Support for N.C. Judicial Reform
For immediate release.
April 13, 2004
Contact: Bryan Warner, N.C. Center for Voter Education, 919.839.1200
McCain Voices Support for N.C. Judicial Reform
RALEIGH – U.S. Sen. John McCain has released a new public service announcement supporting North Carolina's Public Campaign Fund.
The endorsement by Sen. McCain, an Arizona Republican, continues a bipartisan trend supporting judicial reform in the state. Former N.C. governors Jim Hunt, a Democrat, and Jim Holshouser, a Republican, are also strong supporters of the measure.
The 30-second spot was issued by the N.C. Center for Voter Education, a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization in Raleigh.
McCain’s announcement comes as campaign finance reform proponents, including the N.C. Center for Voter Education, Democracy North Carolina and Common Cause, are canvassing the state to educate citizens on the fund before the April 15 tax deadline.
In the PSA, McCain encourages North Carolinians to mark “yes” to the Public Campaign Fund on their state income tax forms.
For each person who marks “yes" to the option, $3 will be directed the fund. This is not a donation, but a designation, as it earmarks $3 that the state is already collecting in taxes. Marking “yes” does not affect the amount of taxes paid or refund an individual receives.
The Public Campaign Fund will provide free voter guides to North Carolina voters and public financing to judicial candidates who abide by strict fundraising and spending limits -- if it is adequately funded.
Candidates running in statewide races for the N.C. Court of Appeals and N.C. Supreme Court are eligible for the program.
Sen. McCain has proven to be a strong ally of judicial reform in North Carolina. He visited Raleigh’s Meredith College in October of last year to promote the fund.
“People all over America are watching this new election program, and many see it as a model for other states,” said Chris Heagarty, executive director of the N.C. Center for Voter Education. “But anytime you introduce something this new to the public, there are always questions and uncertainty. Senator McCain’s message will help us inform the public about this new program and the importance of supporting it through the tax check-off.”
Sen. McCain’s public service announcement can be seen online at www.ncjudges.org.
The N.C. Center for Voter Education is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to improving elections in North Carolina.
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