Cutting Campaign Costs

The New York Times
February 11, 1970

  George N. Spitz, a former consultant to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Election Law, has a sound idea for cutting down the cost and confusion of electoral campaigns. Mr. Spitz, who has been active in numerous reform efforts, proposes that his fellow Democrats in Manhattan's 26th Senatorial District cooperate in underwriting the publication of a voters directory for the approaching primary.

  The Oregon Voters Directory, which would serve as a model, has proved extremely successful. An analysis of its use in that state by the Citizens Research Foundation shows that winning candidates for such offices as State Senator could get their electoral apneals across and still spend as little as $2,000, a figure ridiculously low when compared with the usual campaign expenses incurred here.

  This is not Mr. Spitz's first effort at practical electoral reform. In a race for a State Assembly seat two years ago, he vowed a "nuisance-free" campaign and personally refused to use posters, stickers, throw-aways or sound trucks.

  Mr. Spitz lost then. He may lose now. He is, however, a rare Quixote seeking desirable electoral reforms which in their importance transcend any particular campaign. A nuisance-free election? A race for public office within the pocketbook of the ordinary citizen? is this an impossible dream?

The Progressive, Pro-Peace choice in the New York City Democratic Primary for City Council 5th District on Manhattan’s Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island.