Contribution Limits, Spending Limits, and Public Funds Requirements – 2009 Citywide Elections

Contribution Limits*
Mayor	Public Advocate	Comptroller	Borough President	City Council
These limits are for the primary and general elections combined. Both monetary and “in-kind” contributions of goods and services are subject to these limits. 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).
$4,950	$4,950	$4,950	$3,850	$2,750

Doing Business Contribution Limits
Mayor	Public Advocate	Comptroller	Borough President	City Council
These “doing business” contribution limits are for the primary and general elections combined. Both monetary and “in-kind” contributions of goods and services are subject to these limits.
$400	$400	$400	$320	$250

Spending Limits*

Mayor

Public Advocate
& Comptroller

Borough President

City Council

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.

*	If a participant runs against a well-financed non-participant, the spending limit for that election is increased or lifted.
†	Spending in excess of these amounts will be charged against the first limit applicable in 2009.
††	If no primary election is held there is no primary election spending limit.

2006-2008†

$290,000

$129,000

$43,000

2009 Primary Election††

$6,158,000

$3,850,000

$1,386,000

$161,000

2009 General Election

$6,158,000

$3,850,000

$1,386,000

$161,000

Thresholds

Mayor

Public Advocate
& Comptroller

Borough
President

City
Council

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 $175 of a contribution counts toward meeting dollar amount threshold.

*	For borough president, the threshold dollar amount is based upon the number of persons living in each borough. The dollar amount (based on the 2000 census) for each borough is: Bronx, $26,653; Brooklyn, $49,307; Manhattan, $30,744; Queens, $44,588; and Staten Island, $10,000.
†	Must be borough residents
††	Must be district residents

Dollar Amount

$250,000

$125,000

$10,000 – 49,307*

$5,000

Minimum Number of Contributors

1,000

500

100†

75††

Maximum Public Funds*

Mayor

Public
Advocate

Comptroller

Borough
President

City
Council

The Program matches each dollar a NYC resident gives, up to $175, with six dollars in public funds, for a maximum of $1,050 in public funds per contributor.
*	Per election, in election year.
†	Candidates who face minimal opposition will receive a reduced public funds payment; candidates facing a well-financed non-participant may be eligible for additional public funds under the bonus situation.

$3,386,900

$2,117,500

$762,300

$88,550

Runoff Limits

Contribution Limits
Office	Limits	Doing Business Limit
Public Advocate	$2,475	$200
Comptroller	$2,475	$200

Expenditure limits
Office	Limits
Public Advocate	$1,925,000
Comptroller	$1,925,000

Public Funds

Campaigns in a runoff primary election will receive a lump sum payment equal to one-quarter (25%) of the amount of public funds they received for the regular primary election.

See Chapter 8 of the 2009 Candidate Handbook for more information about runoff elections

2009 LIMITS, REQUIREMENTS, AND PUBLIC FUNDS

Runoff Limits

Public Funds