There’s still almost a week before the East Lansing City Council elections, but based on funding alone, we already have a pretty clear idea of who is ahead.
With more than $8,000 raised, candidate Ruth Beier has raised more than three times what Susan Woods has managed, who has the second-most funds.
But while many of the other candidates were helped through fundraisers or local donations, almost all of Beiers’ cash came from outside the city.
A good majority of Beier’s thousands came from individual donors from the Michigan Education Association, or MEA, where Beier previously worked as an economist. She asked her friends to help her out, and help her out they did. The problem is, many donated simply because they believe in Beier, not because they believe in how Beier could help East Lansing.
“It’s pretty common for the MEA to donate to each other’s causes, and this case, the cause was me,” Beier said in a previous interview with The State News. “They are just interested in helping me. They aren’t concerned about East Lansing. … I’m not beholden to any of these people.”
Donations from out of the area might help Beier avoid pressure from constituents with deep pockets asking for help if she’s elected into office. But that also means pooling money from people who could care less about the fate of the city. This raises questions about her motivation for seeking office.
Technically, raising unlimited amounts of money outside city limits in local elections is legal based on campaign finance law. But if so much money from donors with no connection to East Lansing can have such a potentially massive influence on local elections, it’s time to rethink our laws.
In this day and age, it’s an unfortunate fact that money plays such a large role in elections, even local ones. Advertising and campaigning can make or break a candidate, and doing that effectively comes at a hefty price.
Money is going to stick around in politics, but that’s why there are laws to maintain the fairness and democracy of elections.
When one candidate is leading in fundraising by more than 60 percent based on contributions from outside their constituency, it’s hardly fair.
Every resident of this city, including students, has a voice in local elections through their vote. But if the decks already are unfairly stacked in favor of one candidate before the polls open, it’s questionable how much those votes will truly count.
Although money has its place in local elections, it’s necessary that funds come from within city limits. When outside parties can sway an election, that’s hardly fair to constituents who will have to live with the candidate’s decisions for years to come.
Most of the other candidates were able to raise funds with relative success by reaching out to locals. Beier should be able to do the same if she truly has the support of the people.
Still, Beier is in compliance with current laws, and most other candidates also are in compliance. Candidate Ben Esseylinck wasn’t able to file his paperwork on time, so none of his finance records are public yet.
This is troubling for someone hoping to be tasked with overseeing the budget of an entire city.
To protect elections, candidates must follow campaign finance laws. More than that, an overhaul is needed to reexamine the role of money in local elections.
Voters should weigh how the city council hopefuls have handled their fundraising throughout their candidacy when they head to the polls Nov. 5.
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