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Summary of existing program |
Proposal
for full public financing may go on the November 2008 ballot. Current
program is for matching funds only. (Population
3,694,820) |
Full
public financing program in effect on 2006, and will be put to the voters for
approval in 2010. (Population
556,370) |
Full
public financing for all local elections enacted in 2005. (Population
448,607) |
1998
- Full public fund-ing for statewide and legislative offices. (Population
5,633,997) |
Maine
Election Clean Act established in 1996 for full public financing when running
for State offices. (Population
1,278,923) |
Full
finance program established in 1997 for Governor and Lt. Governor. (Population
608,827) |
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Qualifying contributions Seed money |
Council candidates must raise $25K in max $250
contribu-tions; City Atty & Controller - $75K; Mayoral - 150K in max $500
contributions. Any resident in the
City may contribute. |
Collect
1,000, $5 qualifying contributions from residents. ---------------------------- Contributions
of $100 or less from any source for a maximum of $15,000. |
$5
donations from 1% of the registered voters in their district to qualify. ----------------------------- Contribution $100 or less
per person, for a maximum of 10% of the applicable spending limit. |
Minimum number of $5
contributions to qualify for public financing. Candidate must get from 210
for the Legislature to 4,200 for Gov. ($5 contribu-tions) ---------------------------- Contribution
$120 or less per person for a maximum of $46,440/Gov; $23,820/SOS/Atty. Gen;
$2,980/Legislator |
50
$5 contributions for House candidates; 150 for Senate candidates, and 2,500
for Governor. --------------------------- $100
or less per individual for a maximum of $500 for House, $1,500 for Senate and
$50,000 for Governor. Amendment is
being sought by staff. |
Gov.
candidate must raise $35,000 from 1,500 or more indivi-duals; for Lt. Gov.,
$17,500 from 750 or more. Contributions not to exceed $50. ($23.33 average) --------------------------- No
seed money. May use qualifying
contributions. |
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Grant Limits |
Primary,
Mayor $3,500,000; CA $1,500,000; Controller $1,000,000; Council
$350,000. General: Mayor
$3,000,000, CA $1,200,000; Controller $750,000, Council $300,000. |
Primary,
Mayor- $200,000, auditor and commissioners $150,000 General,
Mayor $250,000; Auditor and
Commissioners $200,000. |
Mayor- $1.00 per registered
City voter (approximately $448,000); City Council - $1.00 per registered
voter in the district (approx.) $55,000)
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Primary:
Gov
$453,849; SOS/AG $95,559; Treasurer $47,770; Legislator $11,945 General:
Gov., $680,774; SOS, Atty. Gen., $143,325; Treasurer, $71,655; Legislator $17,918 |
Primary:
Gov
$200,000, State Rep $1,504, State Senator $7,746; General:
Gov. $400,000, State Rep. $4,362, State Senate $20,082. |
Primary, Gov., $75,000; Lt. Gov., $25,000. General:
Gov. $225,000; Lt. Gov. $75,000 |
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Matching funds if over-spent by
opponent or Independent Expenditures |
(Plus
1/3 of general election funds for each in reserve as matching funds) |
Candidates
may receive matching funds for Primary $150,000 Comm/Auditor; $200,000
/Mayor; Gen $400,000 Comm/Auditor, $500,000 /Gov. (eligible funds divided) |
Matching funds have not
been determined, but of amt. opponent spends over grant limit at twice the
amount of original grant, if the funds are available. |
Candidates
eligible for matching funds of twice the amount of original grant. |
Candidates
eligible for matching funds for a max of twice the initial grant for primary/
general. |
No Matching funds available, therefore no one
takes advantage of public financing. |
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*Funding for program |
Proposal
is for money to come from the General Fund. |
.02%
from general fund. Civil penalties and private contributions |
.01% from general fund;
qualifying contributions and seed $. |
10% surcharge on all civil penalties and
criminal fines; qualifying contributions. |
$2
million from general fund, unspent monies from Clean Elections fund; fines
for violations of Clean Election Law; qualifying contributions. |
95%
of funding from annual fees charged to domestic and international
corporations; fines for
violations of campaign finance laws. |
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Issues |
N/A |
Qualifying
period of 12 months best; issues re misuse of funds |
Program
will begin in 2007. |
Increased
number of candidates running for office. Increase
number of participating candida-tes.
In 2000 26%; in 2002 56%; in 2004 61%; in 2006 60% |
Initially
the number of female candidates did increase. 83%
of the Legislature ran Clean Elections. Issues
with Independent Expenditures |
Problem
with opponents spending over grant limit of participating candidates, and
independent expenditures? |
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Administer the program and cost |
5-member Ethics
Commission. |
7-member
Citizens Campaign Comm-ission made up of 7 members plus Auditor, Deputy
Auditor & City Elections Officer. Annual
cost $103,551 |
The
City Clerk’s Office is administering the program with 1 additional FT staff
member during election. Annual cost $1
million. |
5-member
Citizens Clean Elections Commission appt'd by Gov. Annual cost $3,709,651 |
5-member
Commission appt’d by Gov & Legislature for 3-year terms. Annual
cost $395,000 |
Admin.
by SOS & part-time staff. Cost
absorbed into the SOS's Office budget. |
*Any qualifying contributions
and remaining seed money, as well as any remaining funds in participating
committees after the election, are deposited in the Program's account.