The effect of the pro‐ and anti‐ERA campaign contributions on the ERA voting behavior of the 80th Illinois house of representatives

Abstract

Abstract This study provides evidence that campaign Financing has contributed to the defeat of the equal rights amendment (ERA) in Illinois. It is not the primary factor, but it is an important one. Since 1972 eleven votes have been taken on the ERA in the Illinois House and seven votes in the Senate. Also, since 1976, Illinois has required that the campaign finances of the candidates for state office be made public, both these developments provided a unique opportunity to study the effect over time of campaign contributions on the voting behavior of legislators with regard to a single “ideological” issue. The study focuses on the 80th House of Representatives. Six of the eleven House votes on the ERA were taken in its two sessions, two in 1977, and four in 1978. The law‐makers fell into two important categories: consistent voters on this issue, and inconsistent ones. Using a multivariate analysis technique it was found that campaign donations considerably influenced the ERA positions of the inconsistent ...