NYC Campaign Finance Board Approves $1.8 Million in Public Funds to 2021 Candidates
04/22/2021
The NYC Campaign Finance Board (CFB) approved $1,858,418 in public matching funds payments to two city candidates in the 2021 election cycle today. Including today's payments, the Board has issued $74,055,050 in public financing to 2021 candidates. The payments are detailed in the charts below and will be added to the CFB's campaign finance summary webpage later today.
The Board voted on two other matters related to today's public funds payments:
- To approve a 7-09(a) petition filed by Kimberly Council
- To dismiss a complaint against New Yorkers for Donovan
Board Chair Frederick Schaffer made the following statement regarding the public funds payment to New Yorkers for Donovan :
“After reviewing additional information, including statements from Shaun and Michael Donovan, the Board voted to approve a public funds payment to the New Yorkers for Donovan campaign today. The campaign will be subject to an ongoing, post-election audit, just like all campaigns in this election.
We have implemented among the strongest disclosure regulations around independent expenditure groups in the country. This means that city voters will know more about who is behind the political advertising that they see and that the so-called “dark money” groups we have seen nationally cannot operate in New York City’s elections.
Unlimited spending by outside groups has become a significant issue in American politics in recent decades, particularly in the wake of the Citizens United decision in 2010. In this election cycle, several single-candidate super PACs have been established, particularly in connection with the race for mayor, and a significant level of contributions and expenditures is occurring to and by these PACs. This development poses a particular challenge to the goals of the City’s system of public campaign financing. The CFB may address these issues after the election in connection with its recommendations for changes in the law and in amendments to its rules dealing with the factors that define independent expenditures on the one hand and coordination between campaign committees and PACs on the other hand.”
| Candidate | Payments Approved April 22, 2021 |
|---|---|
| Shaun Donovan | $1,477,552 |
Public Funds Payments - April 22, 2021 - BOROUGH PRESIDENT CANDIDATES
| Candidate | Payments Approved April 22, 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn | ||
| Kimberly Council | $380,866 | |
Candidates in the 2021 New York City elections filed their most recent disclosure reports with the CFB on March 15, 2021. The payments listed above are based on campaign financial data provided by this deadline. The next opportunity for candidates to receive public matching funds is May 13, based on response to statement reviews with corrected invalid matching claims.
The next disclosure reports are due by midnight on May 21. There will then be a public funds payment on May 27 based on those disclosures. In total, there are eight public matching funds payments scheduled ahead of the primary elections on June 22.
HOW THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE PROGRAM WORKS
The CFB provides matching funds out of the city's General Fund to qualifying candidates at a rate of $8 for every $1 received from New York City residents, up to the first $175 for donations to City Council and Borough President candidates, and up to $250 for donations to citywide candidates, for a maximum payment-per-resident of $1,400 or $2,000, respectively.
To qualify for matching funds, candidates must demonstrate support from within their communities by meeting a two-part fundraising threshold and abide by the other requirements set in the Campaign Finance Act. For instance, to qualify for public funding in City Council races, candidates must raise at least $5,000 from city residents. Only the first $175 contributed per city resident counts towards meeting the threshold.
Additionally, City Council candidates must receive at least 75 contributions from residents of the district where they are running. Candidates also must comply with all program rules, including individual contribution limits and a prohibition on collecting contributions from corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships.
The matching rate increased to $8-to-$1 in November 2018 when it was adopted by voters along with other improvements to the matching funds program. For 2021, candidates may choose to participate in the previous program, which provides public funds at a $6-to-$1 matching rate. However, 98 percent of 2021 candidates participating in the program are choosing to abide by the new rules.
CANDIDATE SERVICES
The CFB's Candidate Services staff offers candidates extensive support by providing access to trainings, resources, and one-on-one guidance to help campaigns navigate their disclosure requirements and compliance obligations. For the 2021 elections, the agency published a detailed guidance document with the payment schedule, requirements, and applicable deadlines for candidates to follow.
FOLLOW THE MONEY
More information about the candidates' campaign finance data is available on the CFB website in the Campaign Finance Summary portal. Individual contributions, campaign spending, intermediaries, and independent PAC expenditures are available in the CFB's Follow the Money database.