Law and Justice: Chapter 3 Advocacy

Advocacy The Art of Advocacy The Art of Advocacy Advocacy is the active support of a cause and also involves the art of persuading others to support the same cause Advocacy is the active support of a cause and also involves the art of persuading others to support the same cause Lobbying Lobbying A way to influence the lawmaking process by getting lawmakers to vote as you want them to A way to influence the lawmaking process by getting lawmakers to vote as you want them to Lobbying is a basic right protected by the constitution Lobbying is a basic right protected by the constitution Today special interest groups lobby on behalf of nearly every imaginable cause Today special interest groups lobby on behalf of nearly every imaginable cause Voting Voting Initiative and Referendum Initiative and Referendum Initiative is a procedure that allows voters to propose a law by petition Initiative is a procedure that allows voters to propose a law by petition Referendum occurs when a legislative act is referred to voters for approval Referendum occurs when a legislative act is referred to voters for approval Recall Recall Many states also permit recall elections which allow voters to remove elected officials from office Many states also permit recall elections which allow voters to remove elected officials from office

Advocacy Who can Vote Who can Vote U.S. Citizen – 18 years old – resident of the community in which you register U.S. Citizen – 18 years old – resident of the community in which you register Fair elections require that voters have access to information about the candidates, the issues, and details of the voting process Fair elections require that voters have access to information about the candidates, the issues, and details of the voting process Campaign Finance Reform Campaign Finance Reform Federal elections are extraordinarily expensive Federal elections are extraordinarily expensive To win candidates need to be: To win candidates need to be: Rich Rich Skillful fundraisers Skillful fundraisers Or both Or both Critics argue that: Critics argue that: People of low or middle income cannot run for office People of low or middle income cannot run for office Special interests receive favors in exchange for substantial contributions Special interests receive favors in exchange for substantial contributions Elected officials spend too much time raising money instead of doing their job Elected officials spend too much time raising money instead of doing their job Supporters argue that: Supporters argue that: Contributions are a form of political speech and protected by the 1 st amendment Contributions are a form of political speech and protected by the 1 st amendment

Advocacy Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 Designed to ban the use of soft money in campaigns Designed to ban the use of soft money in campaigns Prohibit certain types of broadcast political ads Prohibit certain types of broadcast political ads Outlaw the solicitation of contributions on federal property Outlaw the solicitation of contributions on federal property Loopholes exist Loopholes exist Broadcast ads for issues rather than candidates Broadcast ads for issues rather than candidates Gun control, clean environment etc.. Gun control, clean environment etc.. Fair and do not count as contributions as long as they do not say “elect” “vote for” or “Jones for Senate” Fair and do not count as contributions as long as they do not say “elect” “vote for” or “Jones for Senate” Note: Within a month of the passage of the 2002 reform act, 84 plaintiffs filed 11 separate lawsuits challenging every provision of the act.