AMERICANS FOR

CAMPAIGN REFORM
FACT SHEET

Fair Elections Now Act

A Small Donor Approach to Congressional Campaign Finance

Fair Elections Provisions Figure 1: Summary of Fair Elections Provisions

Provision House Senate

1. Candidate Qualifying and Seed Money
Candidates seeking to participate in Fair Elections collect Contribution $100 primary $100 primary
a set number of qualifying contributions of $5-$100 each Limit (indivs.) $100 general $100 general
from their constituents plus a baseline of $50,000 or more Qualifying 1,500 in-state 1,500 + 500 per CD in-
in total contributions. Contributions provide seed money Contributions $50,000 raised state; $50,000 +10%
to jump-start the candidate’s campaign and are limited to of primary grant raised
residents of the candidate’s home state.
Primary $360,000 grant + $500,000 grant +
Funding (est.) 4:1 matching funds $100,000 per CD +
2. Primary Funding 4:1 matching funds
Qualifying candidates receive a Fair Elections start-up
General $540,000 grant + $750,000 grant +
grant to launch their campaign and additional matching Funding (est.) 4:1 match funds $250,000 per CD +
funds of $4 for every $1 raised from their constituents in 4:1 matching funds
contributions up to $100 each. Matching funds are
capped at a competitive spending threshold, consistent Public $900,000 grants; $1.25 million +
Spending match up to $1.8 $350,000 per CD
with historic spending levels and media market costs. Limits (est.) million grant; match up to
Qualifying candidates may raise additional unmatched 200% of grant
contributions up to $100 each on an unlimited basis.

3. General Election Funding Figure 2: Sample Public Funding Levels, U.S. House
Participating candidates who win their party’s
nomination are eligible to receive competitive public Average In-state Primary General Total
matching funds in the general election, supplemented Contrib Contribs* Funding Funding Funding
by $4-to-$1 public matching funds on in-state donations
of up to $100 each. A competitive spending limit on $30 2,000 $700,000 $1.1 million $1.8 million
public funds is observed. Qualifying candidates may
raise additional unmatched contributions up to $100 $60 2,000 $1 million $1.4 million $2.4 million
each on an unlimited basis.
$90 2,000 $1.2 million $1.7 million $2.9 million
4. Discounted Airtime and Public Debates
Participating candidates are eligible to receive discoun- * Assumes each contributor gives average amount in both primary and general;
ted media rates for campaign communications in the excludes (unmatched) out-of-state contributions, contributions above public limits
run-up to the primary and general election campaigns.
Media vouchers are also provided to participating
nominated candidates for use in the general election. Funding Fair Elections
Candidates agree to take part in public debates.
1. Cost Estimate
5. Administration and Review The estimated cost of the Fair Elections program for
An independent office of the FEC will be charged with House and Senate elections is $1-$1.5 billion per year,
administering and updating the program. A five- depending on the level of candidate participation.
member board of Presidential appointees will lead the
office, with four members recommended by House and 2. Funding Mechanism
Senate party leaders and the fifth member by consensus The Senate bill calls for funding from a 0.5% surcharge on
of the original four. Qualifying requirements and government contracts in excess of $10 million. The
funding levels will be subject to review and amendment House bill calls for funding from 10% of the proceeds of
after each election to ensure viability over time. broadcast spectrum auctions.

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