Can we start by explaining what ‘Democracy Dollars’ is and how it works?
Absolutely. Democracy Dollars is a game-changer for political campaigns, democratizing the funding landscape by providing each eligible voter in the city with four $25 vouchers. These vouchers can only be donated to local office candidates, turning every household into a potential donor and empowering communities in our electoral process. Once the vouchers are allocated to candidates, they can redeem them with the city for campaign funds. This program effectively turns every household into a potential donor household.
Why do you believe Democracy Dollars is necessary, especially in the context of San José?
The newly released report from MapLight reveals that 81% percent of the $7 million that was raised during our local elections in San José in 2022 came from high-dollar contributors who donated $500 or more. This means that a significant majority of the population made no political contributions, leaving a disproportionate influence on elections in the hands of a wealthy few who don’t represent the population of our city. And this is reflected in how the city is being governed — it’s more and more difficult to pass policy that serves regular, working people. Over the last couple of years, we’ve had to fight hard for basic things such as worker protections, renters rights and childcare. Santa Clara County also had historically low voter turnouts during the last elections — and Democracy Dollars have proven to increase voter turnout as well.
How does Democracy Dollars address these issues?
Democracy Dollars can be a critical tool to give people more power in our electoral process, and by extension in our governance — especially those who have historically been excluded from our democracy like communities of color, low wage earners and immigrants.
In Seattle, which adopted Democracy Dollars in 2022, it resulted in an 800% increase in donors, and an increase in the diversity of both candidates and donors. It fosters a diverse political landscape by mobilizing low-propensity voters, leveling the playing field, and encouraging candidates to connect with constituents rather than relying on wealthy donors,
Research shows that low-propensity voters are 19 times more likely to vote under. Not just that — Democracy Dollars also motivates candidates to spend more time knocking on people’s doors and learning about their constituents rather than pursuing a handful of wealthy donors. This means we end up with candidates who are more connected to their constituents, who show up for the community in times of need.
The report mentions a significant increase in campaign contributions from non-residents. How can Democracy Dollars address this issue?
Yes, nearly half of all campaign contributions came from non-residents in the 2022 election cycle. Democracy Dollars can help mitigate this by focusing on empowering local voters. When each eligible voter has the ability to contribute through the vouchers, it reduces the influence of outside money in local elections. This again ensures that candidates are accountable to the communities they aim to represent, rather than being swayed by external interests.
The report also highlighted disparities in contributions based on race and income. How does Democracy Dollars contribute to enhancing diversity in political engagement?
By removing the financial barriers to political participation, the program allows candidates from Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC), immigrant, and working-class communities to run competitive campaigns. This creates a more inclusive and representative political landscape, ensuring that the voices of all residents, regardless of their background or income, are heard and valued.
By democratizing campaign funding and empowering small donors, Democracy Dollars has the potential to reshape the dynamics of local politics, making it more accessible, inclusive, and reflective of the diverse communities it serves.
While relatively new concept, Democracy Dollars has already been tried in other cities across the county?
Absolutely. Seattle’s program has been used in 2017, 2019, and 2021, and is now an integral part of the fabric of the city’s local politics. In 2022, Oakland voters overwhelmingly supported the passage of Democracy Dollars with 74% of voters in favor of the measure. Oakland’s program will be implemented in 2026.
Notably, both cities achieved electoral success through robust, multiracial coalitions involving community organizations, civil rights groups, policy and research organizations, as well as local, statewide, and national entities. The Maplight report is a good reminder that we need to work towards shifting power locally in San José.
Our electoral system is rooted in a legacy of racial and economic injustice, and local elections are heavily influenced by large, powerful donors who don’t have the community’s best interests at heart. We’re doing the organizing and advocacy needed to make the system fairer and more transparent — and we’re making progress towards that future. In the meantime, Democracy Dollars is a vital tool that will put democratic power back into the hands of regular people and nurture a more equitable and vibrant democracy here and now.
