Most Americans cannot forgo regular employment, giving up not only their pay but often their healthcare and medical insurance, in order to spend a year on the campaign trail. Likewise, campaigning often necessitates paying for childcare or care for other dependents, creating yet another barrier for Americans with those responsibilities. Thankfully, agencies like the Federal Election Commission and those in charge of elections in some states and local municipalities have begun to recognize this. On Thursday, April 25, 2024, CLC hosted a discussion with experts and former candidates about these innovations — those that have already been implemented and others that have been proposed — and discuss what else can be done to break down financial barriers to running for office and make holding political office an obtainable goal for all Americans. Our expert panelists were: - Shanna Ports, Senior Legal Counsel, Campaign Finance at CLC (and moderator) - Odessa Kelly, advocate and former Congressional candidate  - Shrina Kurani, climate investor and former Congressional candidate  - Liuba Grechen Shirley, Founder and CEO of Vote Mama Foundation - Daniel Weiner, Director, Elections & Government at Brennan Center for Justice Related Resources: - Watch our virtual event on public financing: https://campaignlegal.org/events/strengthening-democracy-local-government-through-public-financing - Learn more about the Federal Election Commission’s revised candidate salary rules: https://campaignlegal.org/update/revised-candidate-salary-rules-could-diversify-congress - More information about working parents serving in elected office: https://www.votemamafoundation.org/