
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, March 27, 1994                   TAG: 9403250062
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

CHECK BOX ON FORM FOR CAMPAIGN REFORM

We hear a lot about the necessity for campaign finance reform these days but very little about specific ways to achieve it. The League of Women Voters recommends one simple step which anyone who fills out a 1040 income tax form can take. One the form there is this question: "Do you want $3 of your federal tax to go to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund?" If you check "Yes," three of your tax dollars will go into that fund.

Taking this easy step does not increase your tax, nor does it decrease any refund to which you are entitled, but it does provide "clean" money to presidential candidates, and does not put them under any obligation to repay your contribution with political favors, if elected.

The Federal Election Commission administers the check-off program which has been in operation since Congress set it up in the early 1970s. There are strict qualifications for eligibility, but the two major party nominees are on equal financial footing if they accept these public funds. The funds may also be used by national parties to cover costs of their national conventions.

In order to qualify for matching public funds, a candidate in the primary elections must first raise over $5,000 in each of 20 states (over $100,000) and the $5,000 in each state must consist of small contributions of $250 or less from individuals. The Federal Election Commission audits all campaigns that receive public funds and any funds not used for campaign purposes must be returned to the Treasury.

If you want more details you can get a free pamphlet, "The $3 Checkoff," from the Federal Election Commission by calling 1-800-424-9530. In 1992, 11 primary candidates received a total of $42.7 million in matching funds and each major party received $10.6 million to conduct its presidential nominating convention. In each of the past five years approximately 33 million taxpayers have checked the "Yes" box.\ Nadine Newcomb, President League of Women Voters of Montgomery County

by CNB