To: The Maryland State Senate
Support Public Funding of Elections in Maryland
Public funding strengthens our democracy by getting special interests out of elections and voters back in. Maryland's Fair Campaign Financing Fund, our only state-wide program for public funding of elections, proved its worth but the tax check-off, which funded this program through the decades, has been eradicated. Without restoring a dedicated funding source, our Fair Campaign program will become an empty promise. Please pass HB 485.
Why is this important?
Maryland’s Fair Campaign Financing Fund, our only state-wide program for public funding of elections, proved its worth in the last election – giving a voice to both Delegate Mizeur and Governor Hogan. But the tax check-off, which funded this program through the decades, has been eradicated. The fund now has just over $1 million available, which would not be sufficient to provide a qualifying candidate full grant funds in the 2018 elections.