Campaign Finance Reform: A Survey of AARP Members in New Mexico

Campaign finance reform appears to be an area of growing concern among AARP members in the state of New Mexico. This report is part of a larger mail survey of New Mexico AARP members, and it explores the members’ opinions on the influence of campaign contributions, campaign finance laws, money in state politics, and a “Clean Elections” system.

Survey findings include:

• Nine in ten members agree that politicians are overly influenced by individuals or groups that make large contributions to their campaigns, and a similar proportion agree that major changes are needed in New Mexico’s campaign finance laws.
• Seven in ten respondents indicate that reducing the influence of money in state politics should be a priority for AARP New Mexico. Other legislative priorities for members include Social Security reform, affordable prescription drugs, Medicare reform, and consumer protection from identity theft.
• Eight in ten support the state financing a “Clean Elections” system.

This mail survey of 972 AARP members in New Mexico was fielded from June 9 through July 7, 2006. For more information, contact Joanne Binette at 202-434-6303. (20 pages)