"Check the Box" for Democracy

Put Your Tax Dollars to Good Use

Level the playing field with the Presidential Election Fund

From the National LWV Website

March 22, 2007

PUT YOUR TAX DOLLARS TO GOOD USE: "CHECK THE BOX" FOR DEMOCRACY

Washington, DC - Over the next few weeks, Americans will be working to complete and file their federal income taxes before the April 17 deadline. League President Mary G. Wilson today issued a statement urging taxpayers to "check the box" in the first question and designate three dollars of their tax payment to the Presidential Election Fund.

"Already, we see big money and special interests pouring into the 2008 presidential election. As the campaign continues to heat up, we run the risk of electing our first billon-dollar president," said Wilson. "That kind of spending is not only irresponsible--it harms the very integrity of our democracy."

"As you complete your taxes, we ask you to "check the box" that helps reverse the big money trend and allows Americans, not special interests, to elect the President," said Wilson. "Americans deserve an election system that is healthy + and public campaign financing is an essential element of a fair election."

The League believes democracy is better served if every candidate is on the level playing field provided by the Presidential Election Fund. The organization has worked in recent years to fix the presidential public financing system. In addition to asking candidates to commit to using the presidential public financing system for the general election, the League and other groups recently urged lawmakers to co-sponsor or publicly endorse legislation to reform the system.

"It is important that taxpayers know how the Fund works. Checking the box will not increase the taxes you pay or reduce your refund," concluded Wilson. "It simply puts three dollars of the tax you've already paid into the Presidential Election Fund. The size of the Fund and the strength of our democracy depends entirely on the number of people who choose to check the box."

Contact: Maggie Duncan mduncan@lwv.org (202) 263-1332 http://www.lwv.org

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

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