Contribution Limits, Spending Limits, and Public Funds Requirements – 2008A Citywide Elections

Contribution Limits | Spending Limits | Thresholds | Maximum Public Funds

For All Candidates
The following contribution restrictions and limits apply to all candidates, both Program participants and non-participants, except where noted.

Contribution Limit

$1,375
Both monetary and “in-kind” contributions of goods and services are subject to this limit. All candidates – participants and non-participants alike – are prohibited from accepting contributions from corporations (including professional corporations or “P.C.’s”), LLCs, and partnerships (including LLPs). Candidates participating in the Program may contribute no more than three times the contribution limit to their own campaign. Non-participants are not limited in the amount that they may contribute to their own campaign. In addition, candidates participating in the Program are prohibited from accepting contributions from political committees (including PACs) that are not registered with the Campaign Finance Board.

Beginning February 2, 2008, candidates – both participants and non-participants alike – are strictly limited in the amount of money they can accept from individuals or entities “doing business” with the City of New York. For additional information visit Frequently Asked Questions About Doing Business Contributions.

Doing Business Contribution Limit

$125
Both monetary and “in-kind” contributions of goods and services are subject to this limit. For participants, these contributions are not matchable and do not count toward the threshold for receiving public funds.

For Program Participants Only
The following information on spending limits, thresholds, and public funds applies only to Program participants. Non-participants are not subject to Campaign Finance Board expenditure limits and are not eligible to receive public funds.

Spending Limit*

$161,000

Note: As a result of legislation passed in 2007, only the following are now exempt from the spending limits: (i) ballot petition litigation and canvassing of election results; (ii) bringing or responding to any action, proceeding, claim, or suit before a court, arbitrator, or administrative agency regarding a candidate’s compliance with the Campaign Finance Act
or election law; and (iii) expenses related to the post-election audit. These categories will be construed narrowly by the Board to exclude necessary and routine compliance expenses such as legal and accounting fees and the cost of record creation and retention. See Advisory Opinion No. 2008-4 (April 10, 2008).

*	If a participant runs against a well-financed non-participant, the spending limit for that election is increased or lifted.

In return for abiding by the above limits and meeting the relevant threshold below...

Thresholds

Minimum Funds Raised

$5,000

Minimum Number of Contributors

75*

Candidates must meet this two-part threshold, abide by the Program’s requirements, and face opposition on the ballot to qualify for public financing.

Only the first $87 of a contribution counts toward meeting dollar amount threshold.

*	Must be district residents

...candidates may qualify to receive public matching funds up to...

Maximum Public Funds

$88,550

$107,333*

$201,250†

For the special election, the Program matches each dollar a NYC resident gives, up to $87, with six dollars in public funds, for a maximum of $522 in public funds per contributor.

*	Maximum public funds under Tier 1 bonus situation for candidates facing a well-financed non-participant.
†	Maximum public funds under Tier 2 bonus situation for candidates facing a well-financed non-participant.

For more information on the Tier 1 and Tier 2 bonus situations, contact the Candidate Services Unit at (212) 306-7100, or by e-mail at CSUmail@nyccfb.info.

Contribution Limits, Spending Limits, and Public Funds Requirements 2008A: District 30 Special Election

Contribution Limits, Spending Limits, and Public Funds Requirements
2008A: District 30 Special Election