Campaign Finance

A coalition announced today the delivery of petitions to put a charter amendment on the ballot that would create a small donor campaign finance system for Anne Arundel County executive and council races.

Fair Elections Maryland applauds Howard County Council for fixing their local public financing program - Coalition disappointed as Anne Arundel County Council falls short on approving charter amendment on public financing.

The Howard County Council will hold a public hearing tonight on legislation to fix a provision that is blocking Fair Elections funding for at least one candidate who wishes to participate in the program and qualifies for matching funds.

The County has been unwilling to distribute funds to participating candidates who have qualified for matching funds.

If the County Council passes the resolution, this will put the question of creating a Fair Elections Fund on the ballot for public vote in the November 2022 Election.

The Montgomery County Public Election Fund was the center of conversation during a forum last night hosted by Common Cause Maryland. Candidates and potential candidates for Montgomery County Executive and Montgomery County Council learned how to run a “people-powered campaign” rather than one driven by “Big Money” donor interests.