Committee for Economic Development

CED believes that the success of American democracy depends on an engaged electorate, a transparent campaign finance system, and on fair and impartial courts.  Since 2000, CED has conducted extensive research and created policy solutions that address the role of hidden money, foster greater citizen participation in elections, and insulate state courts from political influence.

Election 2020

The Committee for Economic Development of The Conference Board (CED) strongly believes that transparent, fair, and accessible elections are fundamental to the confidence of US citizens in their government and its leadership, and to the long-term health of the US economy.

To protect voters and poll workers and maintain trust in the conduct and outcome of elections, policymakers and election officials should adopt election best practices designed to address the COVID-19 pandemic, including:

• Choosing appropriate polling sites and adjusting the polling-place environment and procedures for safe in-person voting
• Providing appropriate staffing and equipment for polling sites and training for poll workers
• Offering at least 10 days of early voting, including some weekend and evening hours
• Offering postage-paid, “no-excuse” absentee voting, supported by:
  1. Voter registration and absentee ballot requests without in-person trips to election offices or notaries, including postage-paid applications for absentee ballots mailed to all registered voters where feasible
  2. Early processing or counting of absentee ballots received prior to Election Day, with clear communication of the status of absentee ballot submissions
  3. Secure, video-monitored absentee-ballot drop boxes with tight chains-of-custody procedures
  4. Best practices for absentee ballot design to avoid missing or misplaced signatures
  5. Clearly communicated absentee ballot deadlines, based on when a ballot is posted rather than when it is received, backed by a commitment from the US Postal Service to postmark all absentee ballots received

Business leaders should take concrete steps to assist in the election effort—helping to protect their employees, customers, and communities—including:

• Communicating new voting rules, options for voting, and voting procedures to employees and customers, including providing reminders to help their own employees vote early
• Directly aiding election officials through the donation of needed infrastructure, technology assistance, supplies, and services
• Making it easier or more affordable for employees to serve as poll workers
• Providing paid leave to facilitate safe voting and reduced crowding at the polls

Money & Politics

In recent years, CED has conducted the following activities to address the corrupting influence of Money in Politics:

• Through state and national polling, CED surveyed business leaders’ perspectives about the role of money in politics and bipartisan reforms for policymakers to enact.
  1. Conducted poll of Chicago business executives about influence and corruption in city policies and politics.
  2. Polled New Mexico business leaders about their perceptions of money in politics and proposals the New Mexico state Legislature may consider to change transparency laws and the campaign finance system.
• Members speak at policy forums and to state and national lawmakers about the importance of reform to improve trust in our democratic institutions.
• Conducted an analysis of financial activity in the 2014 elections, as well as the 2016 cycle, from January 2015 through July 2016, to gain further insight into the behavior of corporations and business organizations in the wake of Citizens United.
• Explored the numerous ways in which government-private sector transactions have reduced economic efficiency at the expense of the public interest.

CED Policy Recommendations

CED has developed recommendations for both policy makers and business leaders to adopt to decrease the impact of Crony Capitalism:

• Business leaders must refrain from pursuing crony deals and become spokesmen for the importance of competition on a level playing field.<
• Business leaders must demand the same disclosure and transparency in our electoral system that they are required to offer in their firms’ finances.
• Policy makers should implement a matching system for small-dollar contributions for federal elections that will make it possible for our elected policymakers to run without reliance on big-dollar donors.
• More states should move from election-based to appointment-based judicial systems, to end the unseemly reliance of prospective judges on contributions from individuals and interests who may later come before the bench.
• Create a commission-based appointment process to hold judges accountable. Commissions should be independent and nonpartisan, and responsible for preparing a list of nominees for judicial appointments to be made by a state’s governor.
• Develop judicial performance evaluation commissions. These independent and nonpartisan entities would be responsible for recommending whether a judge should be retained in office. Recommendations would be made available to the public and the relevant appointing authority.