A first-time entrant into the New York City electoral system stands
almost as much a chance of running a solid campaign as long-time
political insiders and incumbents. That’s because the New York City
campaign finance system includes a public matching funds program, which
helps levels the playing field by incentivizing local small-dollar
contributions, matching them at a 6-to-1 ratio. In doing so, it also
reduces the influence of special interests in elections and helps
prevent conflicts of interest or pay-to-play arrangements. The program,
run by the New York City Campaign Finance Board, is seen as a national
model.
This year, with few competitive races in the 2017 city
election cycle, a number of sitting City Council members seem to be
eschewing the program, with some having spent significant sums in the
past three years and others having already raised more than they could
legally spend if they participated. The level of non-participation may
to some degree undermine the overall system, though the vast majority of
candidates will still participate, and raises questions about those
Council members choosing not to opt in. A potential wave, however small,
of Council members not participating also drew a rebuke from Mayor Bill
de Blasio on Wednesday.
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Source: The Gotham Gazette (via The Empire Report)
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