McCain Voices Support for NC Judicial Reform; US Senator Appears in New PSA Promoting $3 Check-Off

4/13/2004

From: Bryan Warner of the NC Center for Voter Education, 919-839-1200 or warner@ncvotered.com

RALEIGH, N.C., April 13 -- US Senator John McCain (Arizona) has released a new public service announcement supporting the North Carolina Public Campaign Financing Fund.

The endorsement by Sen. McCain, a Republican, continues a bipartisan trend supporting judicial reform in the state. Former NC governors Jim Hunt (D) and Jim Holshouser (R) are also strong supporters of the measure.

The 30-second spot was issued by the North Carolina Center for Voter Education, a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization in Raleigh.

McCain's announcement comes as finance reform proponents, including the 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 NC Public Campaign Financing Fund on their state income tax forms.

For each person who marks "yes", $3 of the state will be directed the fund. This is not a donation, but a designation, as it earmarks $3 that the state has already collected into a general fund. Marking "yes" has no impact on the amount of taxes paid or refund an individual receives.

The Public Campaign Financing 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, appellate-level races (Court of Appeals and NC Supreme Court) are eligible for the fund.

Senator 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 NC 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 on-line at http://www.ncvotered.com.

The North Carolina Center for Voter Education is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to improving the quality and responsiveness of North Carolina's election system. By examining North Carolina's current system of campaign finance and election laws, and by promoting research and public discussion about the electoral process, the Center hopes to raise citizen awareness, make the election process more inclusive, and increase participation in elections.