nyc’s campaign
finance program

The Campaign Finance Board is a nonpartisan, independent city agency that serves the public interest by enhancing the role of New York City residents in the electoral process. Through its administration of the Campaign Finance Program, created in 1988, the CFB educates voters about the candidates and enables more citizens to compete for city office. The Program amplifies the impact of New Yorkers’ small contributions by matching them with public funds, reducing the possibility and the perception of corruption associated with large contributions and unlimited campaign spending.

The CFB accomplishes its mission by:

• Providing accessible, real-time public disclosure of campaign finances in city elections.
• Administering the voluntary Campaign Finance Program, which sets spending limits and provides public matching funds to eligible candidates.
• Enforcing the Campaign Finance Act uniformly and without bias.
• Publishing and distributing the nonpartisan New York City Voter Guide.
• Coordinating the Debate Program for citywide candidates.

Under the Campaign Finance Act, candidates for local office (mayor, public advocate, comptroller, borough president, and City Council member) are required to disclose exactly where their contributions come from and how the money is spent. The CFB makes this information public in its Searchable Database and the Campaign Finance Summaries. Candidates are required to abide by contribution limits and prohibitions, including “Doing Business” restrictions aimed at reducing the perception of “pay-to-play” in local government. The CFB audits every campaign for these offices to ensure compliance with the Act. Candidates have the option of joining the voluntary Campaign Finance Program, which provides public matching funds to qualified candidates who agree to abide by strictly enforced spending limits. The public matching funds program allows candidates with sufficient public support to run competitive campaigns without seeking out large campaign contributions or relying on personal wealth.

The Voter Guide, published by the CFB and mailed to city voters before municipal elections, gives New York City voters the chance to compare candidates for local office and to use the extensive background and platform information provided in the Guide when making their choices. The Guide also benefits candidates by allowing them to reach their potential constituents in this free and nonpartisan guide, which is mailed to every home with an eligible voter.

In citywide election years, candidates who join the Program and are running for citywide office (mayor, public advocate, or comptroller) are required to take part in a series of debates administered by the CFB (non-participants are also encouraged to participate), giving New Yorkers another way to learn more about candidates before making decisions at the polls.

If you are interested in running for city office, or in learning more about how the Campaign Finance Act helps make local elections in New York more open and democratic, please contact the CFB at:

New York City Campaign Finance Board
40 Rector Street, 7th floor
New York, NY 10006

You can e-mail questions to info@nyccfb.info. Questions specifically about this Voter Guide can be e-mailed
to VoterGuideInfo@nyccfb.info.