Press Release: In First Election Cycle, DC’s Fair Elections Program Is a Game Changer

News Release — Ward 6 DC Council member Charles Allen

February 12, 2020

Contact: Erik Salmi

As part of today’s performance oversight hearing before the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, the Office of Campaign Finance and Committee Chair Charles Allen will dig into data from the ongoing Fair Elections Program, the District’s new program providing public financing for candidates seeking local office.

The early numbers show the impact the program is already having in its first election cycle – campaigns just a few months into a race are already averaging more than 360 District residents who have contributed. Nearly twice as many candidates are opting into public financing instead of a traditional campaign. Already more candidates have filed to run this election cycle than throughout the entire 2016 election cycle – with the general election still 10 months away.

The Fair Elections Act passed the Council unanimously in February 2018, authored by Councilmember David Grosso and shepherded through the Council by Councilmember Allen.

What: Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety Performance Oversight Hearing for the Board of Elections, the Office of Campaign Finance, and the Board of Ethics and Government Accountability (in that order)

When: Wednesday, February 12, beginning at 9:30 am (the Office of Campaign Finance is likely to begin after 11 am)

Where: Room 123, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Live Stream: http://dc.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=87

“The purpose of DC’s Fair Elections Program is to return our political process to District residents and out of the hands of a few big dollar donors and special interests,” said Councilmember Allen. “Already, it is a game changer for people running for office. With public financing, candidates can spend more time knocking on doors and talking with voters rather than dialing for dollars. It puts more power back into the hands of everyday residents.”

Under the Fair Elections Program, in exchange for not accepting corporate or traditional PAC donations and a lower max donation limit from individuals, a candidate can receive a 5 to 1 match on all donations from District residents, on top of a base payment once certified in a contested election.