In Oregon, we should have a system of government that is of, by, and for the people — a democracy where everyone has an equal voice and our elected officials are held accountable to our needs.

But today, wealthy special interests and their lobbyists have thrown our system out of balance. They make the rules, they set the agenda, and they do it by drowning out the voices of everyday Americans with big campaign contributions.

The size of your wallet shouldn’t determine the strength of your voice. It’s time to add much-needed balance to our democracy and enforce tougher rules to ensure politicians can’t be bought by the highest bidder.

We ask the Oregon Legislative Assembly and Governor Kate Brown to adopt a comprehensive campaign finance reform package that limits big campaign contributions, amplifies the voices of small donors and brings all the hidden money out into the open.

A single reform will not go far enough. Only a comprehensive package with limits on big money, matching funds for small donors and transparency for dark money will restore balance to our democracy.

We urge Oregon leaders to pass a comprehensive campaign finance reform package this session so that ordinary Oregonians can have an equal say in our government.