Public Funding of Campaigns

In the primary election for the open mayor's seat, all of the leading Seattle candidates have opted in to raise public campaign funding from a wide range of city residents.

Seattle's "Democracy Voucher" program is being touted as a national model for campaign financing in articles and books, and even in Congress this year, where a version made its way into the Democrat's giant voting reform bill HR 1. But the results in this year’s August mayoral primary – which is the first time vouchers have ever been used in a Seattle mayor’s race-- were mixed.

After Oakland’s vote in November, proponents want democracy vouchers in other California cities.

Nearly three-quarters of Oakland voters (74%) approved an initiative in 2022 that took a comprehensive approach to campaign finance solutions in the city. However, one of its historic changes is in need of funding if it is going to be implemented by 2026; namely, its "democracy dollars" public finance system.

Advocates for a groundbreaking New York public campaign financing program await word of its funding level in the "Big Ugly" budget bill.

Councilmember Nithya Raman announced that a study on establishing a "democracy voucher" program for city elections will arrive in January.

A major bill to expand the public campaign financing system offered in state elections passed the Hawaii Senate unanimously and awaits action in the House.

Portland leaders will consider updating the city’s publicly-funded campaign finance program Wednesday in preparation for an unprecedented 2024 election.