1. Law and Justice: Chapter 3
Advocacy

2. Advocacy The Art of Advocacy Lobbying Voting
Advocacy is the active support of a cause and also involves the art of persuading others to support the same cause
Lobbying
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
Today special interest groups lobby on behalf of nearly every imaginable cause
Voting
Initiative and Referendum
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
Recall
Many states also permit recall elections which allow voters to remove elected officials from office

3. Advocacy Who can Vote Campaign Finance Reform
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
Campaign Finance Reform
Federal elections are extraordinarily expensive
To win candidates need to be:
Rich
Skillful fundraisers
Or both
Critics argue that:
People of low or middle income cannot run for office
Special interests receive favors in exchange for substantial contributions
Elected officials spend too much time raising money instead of doing their job
Supporters argue that:
Contributions are a form of political speech and protected by the 1st amendment

4. Advocacy Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 Loopholes exist
Designed to ban the use of soft money in campaigns
Prohibit certain types of broadcast political ads
Outlaw the solicitation of contributions on federal property
Loopholes exist
Broadcast ads for issues rather than candidates
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”
Note: Within a month of the passage of the 2002 reform act, 84 plaintiffs filed
11 separate lawsuits challenging every provision of the act.