craigdailypress.com

Craig — With less than two weeks to go before the April 7 election, Craig City Council candidates have two opportunities, beginning tonight, to reach out to the public and possibly sway voters.

Luckily for the candidates, those two events won't cost them anything.

According to the Craig City Charter, a candidate is limited to spending $500 on his or her campaign.

This is a sum, especially in today's climate of growing costs, that the Editorial Board believes is woefully low, limiting to campaigns and perhaps contrary to public good.

Although the current spending limit is low, it is double what it used to be.

Until 2006, the spending limit was a mere $250, so by comparison, conditions have improved for those seeking public office.

In a political campaign, $500 can go very quickly.

It wouldn't take many fliers, yard signs, candidate brochures or advertising to reach that figure.

Also, the spending limit virtually eliminates a candidate paying for a professional Web site, which would allow for his or her history, experience and platform to be laid out in detail.

Now, to be fair, the Editorial Board likes the idea behind the low spending limit.

Money shouldn't buy elections - though in state and national politics we often are reminded that it does - and having a thrifty limit allows for anyone in the community to run for public office.

It also puts a premium on candidates reaching out to voters the old fashioned way - by seeking them out at group and organizational meetings and by going door to door.

None of which the Editorial Board has a problem with.

But, there is no simple formula to winning an election, and folksy personal efforts alone simply aren't enough for candidates to get their message across or provide enough access for voters to make an informed opinion.

Board members also believe the current limit favors incumbent candidates, who are more often in the public eye and have the benefit of free exposure, than candidates vying for a first term.

Some of these problems can be alleviated, quite simply, with a higher spending limit.

The Editorial Board recommends a new, $2,000 spending limit.

That total is high enough that it expands on what candidates could do for their campaigns and low enough to avoid more well-funded candidates winning elections through the influence of the dollar.