Bill > S511

This bill establishes a voluntary public campaign financing system called "Massachusetts Fair Elections" for legislative candidates (state senators and representatives). The system allows candidates to receive public matching funds if they agree to strict contribution and expenditure limits and collect a minimum number of small-dollar qualifying contributions from registered voters in their district. Candidates must collect at least 200 contributions of $5 or more for state representative races (450 for state senate) totaling at least $1,000 ($2,250 for senate), and can then receive public funds that match small donations at a 4-to-1 rate. Certified candidates are limited in their total campaign spending (e.g., $20,000 during the primary and $40,000 during the general election for state representatives) and can only accept small contributions from individuals (maximum $4,000 during primary, $8,000 during general election). The bill creates a Massachusetts Fair Elections Fund to provide these public matching funds, establishes a Special Commission on Fair Elections to study the program, and gives the director of campaign and political finance authority to certify candidates, audit contributions, and enforce the program's rules. Candidates who violate the rules can be decertified and potentially fined, with all funds returned to the Fair Elections Fund.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S511