proj-branchDemocracy-bylaws-noMoney

Anti-corruption

No one may accept any money or anything else, except for promises to vote certain ways on certain issues, in exchange for their votes.

Candidates for elected full-time positions must agree to open their financial records to a regulatory authority of the organization upon request. They may not accept gifts, payments or promises (that did not match the value of a good provided or service performed or investment) from anyone (with an exemption for small christmas, birthday gifts, etc from family and close friends, who gave them gifts before they became involved in the organization), except upon the permission of the legislature to make an exception. In any case they may not accept gifts from anyone which may be construed as buying their influence in connection with the organization or attention in connection with the organization or lobbying in connection with the organization.

Candidates for elected non-full-time positions may not accept gifts, payments, or promises from strangers or acquaintences or associates which are reasonably likely to be connected to or concerned with the organization, except upon the permission of the legislature to make an exception, and may not accept gifts from anyone which may be construed as buying their influence in connection with the organization or attention in connection with the organization or lobbying in connection with the organization.

When an exception must be sought, the person may accept the gift; if the exception is denied, they must either give the gift back, or give it to the organization.

No one may give or pay or promise anything to anyone else (except for promises to vote certain ways on certain issues) in exchange for their votes.

Restrictions on spending money to influence a political campaign

Any restrictions on spending money to influence a political campaign:

Public financing of elections

The money earmarked for the public financing of elections is distributed among candidates periodically. Candidates may collect lists of signatures to indicate how many supporters they have for the purpose of receiving these funds. No person may support more than one candidate at a time for this purpose. People may require, after proving their identity, that their signatures be removed from a given list. The validity of signature lists expire after each election.

Upon each distribution, the money is distributed among candidates in proportion to sqrt(number of supporters).

Burden of compliance

The burden of any registration, fees, and compliance with campaign regulations, including campaign finance shall either be wholly supported by free government funding and legal and administrative assistance, or shall be easily within the means of three individuals at the 33rd percentile of the membership by income, or some combination thereof.

The organization's processing of associated paperwork and requests, including informational requests, shall be prompt. No person or party shall be unable to register or comply due to their views or affiliations. The process shall not be so burdensome so as to exclude minor or controversial candidates, or candidates without much time or money.