Public Campaign Finance System Suggested For Anne Arundel Elections

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Anne Arundel candidates could soon fund their county election campaigns with public money rather than big-ticket donations. County Executive Steuart Pittman filed a resolution last week suggesting this voluntary public campaign financing system.

"Providing a public financing system for local elections gives popular candidates without access to wealthy donors a fair shot at public service," the County Executive said in a Wednesday press release.

Pittman suggested the idea to the County Council during its Jan. 3 meeting. The matter would go on the 2022 ballot as a referendum if five of seven council members vote for the proposal, known as Resolution 1-22.

"I believe that it’s a choice our voters should be allowed to make," Pittman said.

Current Campaign Finance Structure

Many candidates currently rely on sizable donations from wealthy residents. Some argue that this helps politicians buy election victories by catering to the richest locals. These voters worry that donations are exchanged for political favors down the road.

Others cite court rulings that campaign donations are a form of protected free speech. These Marylanders think wealthy donors are not disruptive to fair elections.

Individuals can only donate $5,000 per election cycle to a candidate's federal election campaign, also known as a Political Action Committee or a PAC. Businesses and labor unions cannot contribute to PACs on the national level.

Residents, companies and unions can all donate up to $6,000 to a PAC in state and local elections under Maryland law.

Locals, corporations and unions can all give unlimited amounts of money, however, to independent expenditure-only committees known as Super PACs. These groups are not allowed to give directly to candidates, but they can still run their own ads supporting their favorite politicians.

The U.S. Supreme Court in 2010 ruled that businesses and unions have the right to contribute to these Super PACs. This came in the famous Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission case.

What It All Means

Pittman's system would not change contribution limits to PACs or Super PACs. His pitch would instead create an avenue for candidates connected with the middle class rather than the wealthy few.

Using the system would be optional. Participants would have to match the public funds they claim with small donations from Marylanders.

"This is a fundamental reform that would help to level the political playing field and work to improve trust in government," said James Kitchin, director of Pittman's Office of Community Engagement and Constituent Services.

These jurisdictions already have similar public campaign financing systems:

• Baltimore City
• Baltimore County
• Howard County
• Montgomery County
• Prince George’s County

Gov. Larry Hogan used Maryland’s statewide system to win office in 2014.

For more nonpartisan information on political donations, read this guide from Ballotpedia.

RELATED:

• Del. Saab To Seek Reelection Rather Than Run For County Executive
• Pittman Files For Re-Election As Anne Arundel County Executive
• Anne Arundel County Executive Announces Re-Election Campaign

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