Jochum Would Open Iowa Elections

Dubuque Representative Pam Jochum has filed two bills that would open Iowa elections to more voters and more candidates.

HSB 46 allows voters to register at the polls. This change more than
any other would boost turnout. The states that have it now–including
Wisconsin and Minnesota–have the highest rates of voting.

Today she introduced a bill that takes ownership of campaigns away
from private donors by financing state campaigns from the public
treasury. Sort of the way some institutions pay people to come for a
job interview, Jochum would pay the campaign expenses of applicants for
public office.

In criticizing the bill on Iowa public radio, Senator Mark Zieman
said it would be the “incumbent protection act,” because challengers
could not outspend incumbents as a way of overcoming the incumbent’s
advantage.

Jochum countered that incumbents are already protected by their
superior ability to raise money and get news coverage. She noted that
over 90% incumbents get re-elected now.

If incumbents win under either system, I’ll take incumbents who are not in hock to contributors.