CFB Issues Public Matching Funds to Nine Candidates; Announces Revised Contribution Limits and Disclosure Deadlines for Special Elections
04/08/2020
Today, the NYC Campaign Finance Board (CFB) issued public matching funds payments to nine candidates in the special elections for Queens Borough President and City Council District 37. In addition, the CFB released information about contribution limit changes and disclosure deadlines for the rescheduled special elections. Details about the payments made in each race are available below.
"As coronavirus has thrown elections into disarray, the Campaign Finance Program is essential to preserving the health of our democracy," said Frederick Schaffer, Chair of the Campaign Finance Board. "Public funding allows candidates to run robust campaigns without seeking special interest money and provides voters with more choice at the polls."
In issuing these payments today, the Board is sensitive to the city's current budgetary circumstances. These payments are based on disclosures filed before the elections were postponed and the Board has held off on issuing them until a certain rescheduled date was established.
The Board recommends that the city hold a single, nonpartisan special election, rather than a special election and a primary, for those seats on June 23. This is the most straightforward approach for voters, candidates, and administrators to filing these vacancies. Holding a single special election with the winners holding office until December 31, 2021 would conserve public funds in the campaign finance program and avoid the necessity for paying candidates twice for two elections held on the same day.
In the Queens Borough President race, the CFB paid $1,654,036 to six candidates. Three candidates are receiving public funds for the first time in this race. Including today's payment, the CFB has issued $3,618,834 to six candidates in the race. This is the fourth public funds payment for the special election that has been moved to Tuesday, June 23. Early voting for this election begins on Saturday, June 13, and continues through Sunday, June 21.
| Candidate | January 30 | February 26 | March 9 | April 7 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Constantinides | $476,697 | $107,382 | $24,092 | $85,495 | $693,666 |
| Elizabeth Crowley | $497,795 | $369,407 | $32,827 | $193,329 | $1,093,358 |
| Anthony Miranda | -- | -- | -- | $366,008 | $366,008 |
| Jim Quinn | -- | -- | -- | $440,361 | $440,361 |
| Donovan Richards | -- | $446,633 | $9,965 | $191,274 | $647,872 |
| Dao Yin | -- | -- | -- | $377,569 | $377,569 |
| Total | $974,492 | $923,422 | $66,884 | $1,654,036 | $3,618,834 |
| Candidate | March 9 | April 7 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Misba Abdin | -- | $130,036 | $130,036 |
| Darma Diaz | $93,062 | $31,517 | $124,579 |
| Sandra Nurse | -- | $78,348 | $78,348 |
| Total | $93,062 | $239,901 | $332,963 |
CONTRIBUTION LIMITS AND DISCLOSURE DEADLINES
The next filing deadline in the Queens Borough President race will be on May 22. See our full revised disclosure calendar. The contribution limits for this race have increased as a result of the election postponement. The revised limits and other information is available at the CFB's site.
The next filing deadline in the City Council District 37 race will be on May 22. See our full revised disclosure calendar. The contribution limits for this race have increased as a result of the election postponement. The revised limits and other information is available at the CFB's site.
HOW THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE PROGRAM WORKS
To qualify for public matching funds, candidates must meet the nonpartisan objective criteria set in the law, including a two-part fundraising threshold. Candidates also must comply with all program rules, including individual contribution limits and a prohibition on contributions from corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships.
To qualify for public matching funds in the Queens Borough President special election, candidates must raise 100 contributions from Queens residents and $44,614 in funds raised. Only the match-eligible portion ($175) of any contribution counts towards the second threshold.
To qualify for public matching funds for City Council, candidates must raise 75 contributions from district residents and $5,000 from city residents. Only the match-eligible portion ($175) of any contribution counts towards the second threshold.
Improvements to the matching funds program were adopted by voters in November 2018. Under the new limits and thresholds, the CFB provides public matching funds to qualifying candidates at a matching rate of $8-to-$1 for the first $175 for City Council and Borough President candidates, or $250 for citywide candidates contributed by city residents. Each contribution from a New York City resident is eligible for a maximum matching funds payment of $1,400 for City Council and Borough President candidates or $2,000 for citywide candidates. Candidates have the choice of participating in the old program, which provides public funds to qualifying candidates at a $6-to-$1 matching rate. All participating candidates in these special elections opted-in to the new $8-to-$1 program.
The CFB's Candidate Services staff offers extensive support to campaigns, providing access to training, resources, and one-on-one guidance to help them navigate their disclosure requirements and compliance obligations.
More information about the candidates' campaign finance data is available on the CFB website in the Campaign Finance Summary portal. Individual contribution data is available in the Follow the Money database.