The True Cost of Democracy

This can be used as a game or just an information piece. It is another way to get lots of people thinking about the outrageous cost of election campaigns and the great alternative of Fair Elections. Set this up at a table in a high traffic area on campus and decorate it with a Democracy Matters banner and some colorful posters.

Materials you will need: make several flip charts with the name of a well-known politician on the top and when you flip up the name, underneath is information on how much that individual spent for their election and some of their big contributors (again consult www.opensecrets.org).

On the last chart write Fair Elections and underneath put some positive facts about Fair Elections like: more women and minorities run; more ordinary citizens run; Fair Elections laws are working in Maine, Arizona, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Vermont. Use your creativity or call your Staff Link for ideas. It you do it like a game, give out little prizes for anyone who guesses the information under the name.