Public Campaign Financing System To Be Considered By Anne Arundel County Council

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — The Anne Arundel County Council will soon make a key decision on the proposed public campaign financing system. This voluntary initiative would let local candidates decide if they want to partially fund their election campaigns with county money.

Supporters think this change would make it more accessible to run for office. Opponents believe the current donor system is sufficient.

The County Council will vote next week on whether this election reform inches closer to reality. With approval from five of the seven council members, the question of a public campaign financing system would go on the 2022 General Election ballot.

If the majority of voters support the referendum, the county would then be required to implement the optional system. Anne Arundel County would have to establish the program by law before July 1, 2024. It would have to be ready for use by the 2026 General Election.

County Executive Steuart Pittman first pitched the idea on Jan. 5. The system would only be available for County Council and county executive candidates.

"Candidates for the County Council and County Executive who do not have personal wealth or alliances with deep-pocketed corporate interests will be able to opt into a system whereby their small donor dollars are matched with public funds once they have shown broad-based support in the community," Pittman suggested in a Wednesday press release. "They’ll have a fighting chance to represent you."

Officials do not yet have a cost estimate for the effort. The resolution would require a new commission to calculate how much money the system would need at least 180 days before the end of each fiscal year.

The money would then be included in that year's budget proposal. The county executive could offer less funding if they prove that Anne Arundel cannot afford that year's cost. At least five County Council members would then have to approve of lowering the year's allocation.

"This is not a new concept, and it’s not to benefit one party over another," Pittman said. "It’s the system that Larry Hogan used to become Governor, and it’s being used in Howard County by a Republican candidate for County Executive who opposed creating the program when it was first proposed there. It’s also been used by Democrats in jurisdictions where it’s allowed."

Pittman asked residents to review his suggestion, formally known as Resolution 1-22 before the County Council votes Monday at 7 p.m. The county executive also invited locals to:

• Participate in a Facebook Live virtual rally Monday at 6 p.m.
• Complete this community survey to share their thoughts
• Sign up to testify in person by Monday at 3 p.m.
• Submit written testimony online or mail/drop off a letter by Monday at 11 a.m.
• Attend or watch the meeting (Accommodations are posted here)

"This is a key reform that would work to build trust in government and allow more residents to participate in the election process," said James Kitchin, director of Pittman's Office of Community Engagement and Constituent Services.

Current Campaign Finance Rules

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.

These jurisdictions already have similar public campaign financing systems:

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

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

RELATED:

• Here's What The Campaign Finance Reports Tell Us About County Exec Races
• Pittman Suggests Public Campaign Finance System For Anne Arundel
• 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

Have a story idea? Please contact me at jacob.baumgart@patch.com with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County news.