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New York City’s Campaign Finance Program, established in 1988, helps people run for the offices of
Mayor, Public Advocate, Comptroller, Borough President, and City Council member without relying on
large campaign contributions and gives matching funds to serious candidates to help them run
competitive campaigns. The voluntary Program is administered by the New York City Campaign Finance
Board, the independent, nonpartisan City agency that produced this Voter Guide.
When candidates join the Program, they agree to abide by campaign contribution and spending limits
and other requirements, including audits of their campaigns. Candidates who join the Program cannot
accept contributions from corporations. In return, these candidates can qualify to receive public
funds that match contributions received from NYC residents at a rate of $4 to every $1 for
contributions of up to $250. The Program’s contribution limits prevent participants from running
campaigns with large amounts of money from just a few wealthy people or groups. The Program’s
spending limits help ensure that candidates who are wealthy, or who have the support of wealthy
people or groups, do not have an unfair advantage.
Program participants file detailed information with the CFB about their contributors and how
campaign money is spent. The CFB computerizes this information, so it is easy for the public and
the press to find out the details of candidates’ campaign finances. This information is available
(and searchable) on the CFB’s searchable database, and on a public computer terminal at
the CFB’s offices. Program participants are audited by the CFB to make sure that they are observing
the contribution and spending limits and other requirements.
When you read this Voter Guide, you will be able to find out which candidates have joined the
Campaign Finance Program for the 2001 elections. At the bottom of their candidate statements
appears the phrase “Participating in the NYC Campaign Finance Program.”
You may also view a list of candidates participating in the Program at Participants
for the 2001 Elections.
If you are interested in running for City office, or in learning more about how the Campaign Finance
Program is helping to make local elections in New York more open and democratic, please write to:
The New York City Campaign Finance Board
40 Rector Street, 7th floor, New York, NY 10006
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