One of the things that gets lost in the media coverage of campaign and election issues is the voter. That's because political narratives are often insider-driven. Trying to give readers a sense of what's happening on the inside, however, leaves you looking at the world like a political consultant. No one should have to do that.
Coverage of Clean Elections is often no different. It's covered in terms of candidate tactics and ideological gamesmenship. The focus should be on voters. Because that is the core of Clean Elections' purpose.
Clean Elections was passed by and for the people of Arizona in 1998. It says we'll drive corruption out of the system by bringing voters in with information, voter-driven financing and fair, non-political enforcement.
When it comes to these voter-approved election laws, non-partisan enforcement matters because leaving it up to elected officials to police themselves and the special interest folks means you're never sure if the voters' interest is going to come first.
It's why we don't have drug dealers enforce the drug laws.
Clean Elections was designed with this in mind. Independent administration and enforcement means the law the voters approved comes first when it comes to politicians and the spenders who back them.
Political consultants see the world in terms of who has money and who can get it. That's their job. It's how they're going to get paid. But common sense tells you when you're depending on someone for cash, whether you are a politician or not, you might end up beholden. That matters when it comes to the public's interest.
