Campaign Finance Reform in New York State

Michael J. Malbin

University at Albany, SUNYThe Campaign Finance Institute

At a Forum Co-Sponsored byThe Rockefeller Institute of Government, SUNY

The League of Women Voters of New YorkMonday, December 3, 2012

Albany, New York

$1-250 $251-999 $1,000+ Non-Party Party0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

8% 6%

19%

57%

10%

Sources of Funds in NY State elections, 2012Through Pre-General Election Reports

$1-250 $251-999 $1,000+ Non-Party Party0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

6% 5%

31%

47%

11%

Sources of Funds NY State elections, 2010Gubernatorial, Assembly & Senate

$1-250 $251-999 $1,000+ Non-Party Party0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

30%

13%19%

30%

9%

What if ... 6:1 Matching Funds, First $175, Same Donors as 2010

$1-250 $251-999 $1,000+ Non-Party Party0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

54%

8%13%

19%

6%

What if ... Same Matching Funds but Enough $50 Donors so NYS = NYC

Number of 2010 Candidates Who Would Have Had Less Money With Public Matching Funds

and Lower Contribution Limits

$2,000 Contribution Limit $4,000 Contribution Limit

Total # Candidates

Same Donors

More Small Donors

Same Donors More Small Donors

Assembly

$150,000 Cap 246 2 2 1 1

$300,000 Cap 246 2 2 1 1

Senate

$350,000 Cap 113 20 15 4 4

$700,000 Cap 113 19 11 1 1

The Cost of a Public Matching Fund System for New York State Elections

Includes the Four-Year cost for all Statewide and Legislative Candidates

All candidates assumed to receive public funds up to the maximum allowed for one contested election, usually the general election. In addition, for primary elections:

Same Donors as 2010, Lower Contribution

Limit

Same Donors Plus Each Candidate Doubles the Amount of Small Donor

Money Raised

Assume higher public funding cap only for those with two contests in 2010

Total Four-Year Public Funding Cost 99,611,448 130,547,256

Average per year per capita $1.28 $1.67

Treat every 2010 general election candidate as if in a contested primary

Total Four-Year Public Funding Cost 119,061,220 164,914,488

Average per year per capita $1.53 $2.11