Emily Scarr
State Director, Maryland PIRG; Director, Stop Toxic PFAS Campaign, PIRG
State Director, Maryland PIRG; Director, Stop Toxic PFAS Campaign, PIRG
Maryland PIRG Foundation
A report released today by Maryland PIRG Foundation finds that the Montgomery County Public Election Fund is working as intended, and is encouraging more small donor participation. The report finds that individual donors participated at a higher rate when candidates participated in the small donor program.
The fundraising data from the 2018 election also revealed that the small donor matching program is reducing the influence of big money and enabling people to run for office based on support from the community instead of access to large donors.
“It’s incredible to see the small donor program in action. We are building a democracy where everyone has equal opportunity to participate in county elections regardless of race, gender, age, or income,” explained Maryland PIRG Director Emily Scarr. “With the small donor program Montgomery County is helping ensure county government is accountable to residents, not wealthy special interests.”
The report analyzes fundraising data for candidates in the 2018 county elections. It looks at data from 57 candidates for county office, 35 of whom participated in the program and 24 qualified to receive matching funds.
Additional takeaways
Background: In 2014, Montgomery County became the first community in the state to establish a small donor public financing system for local elections. Since, Howard County, Washington D.C., Prince George’s County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County have established similar programs or are considering doing so. In Howard County and Baltimore City, voters approved of the funds through amendments to the County and City charters. Baltimore City is now considering legislation to implement the program. State legislators have also introduced legislation to establish a small donor matching program for state races. Washington D.C. is in the midst of their first election using the program.
In order to participate in the Montgomery County program, candidates have to file a notice of intent to make use of the fund, establish a new campaign account, and meet a few conditions:
If a candidate agrees to and meets these conditions, they become eligible for limited matching funds for small donations made by county residents.
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Maryland PIRG Foundation is an independent, non-partisan group that works for consumers and the public interest. Through research, public education and outreach, we serve as counterweights to the influence of powerful special interests that threaten our health, safety or well-being.