CFB Issues First Public Funds Payment of the 2019 General Election
07/26/2019
The New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) issued a public matching funds payment to one candidate for City Council District 45 in the 2019 general election. The payment was approved on July 15th, and ratified at the public meeting on July 18th. This is the first public funds payment in the general election for Public Advocate and Council District 45, to be held on November 5th. See the table below for a summary of payments to candidates.
PUBLIC FUNDS – GENERAL ELECTION 2019
| Candidate | Office | July 15 Payment |
Total Received |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louis, Farah N | City Council District 45 | $12,472 | $12,472 |
| Borelli, Joseph C | Public Advocate | -- | -- |
| Iwachiw, Walter N | Public Advocate | -- | -- |
| Williams, Jumaane D | Public Advocate | -- | -- |
| Total | $12,472 | $12,472 |
Improvements to the matching funds program were adopted by voters in November 2018 and a law passed by the City Council in January applied those changes to all elections starting in 2019. Under the new limits and thresholds, the CFB provides up to $142,500 in public matching funds to qualifying candidates at a matching rate of $8-to-$1 for the first $175 for City Council and Borought President candidates or $250 for citywide candidates contributed by city residents. Each contribution from a New York City resident is eligible for a maximum matching funds payment of $1,400 for City Council and Borough President candidates or $2,000 for citywide candidates.
Candidates had the choice of participating in the old program, which provides public funds to qualifying candidates at a $6-to-$1 matching rate. All participating candidates opted-in to the new $8-to-$1 program.
Candidates must comply with all program rules, including individual contribution limits and a prohibition on contributions from corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships, to be eligible for public funds.
To qualify for public matching funds, candidates must meet the nonpartisan objective criteria set in the law. Only the match-eligible portion of any contribution may count towards the threshold. In City Council elections, candidates must receive a minimum of 75 contributions from district residents, and at least $5,000 in match-eligible contributions from city residents. For Borough President, candidates must receive 100 contributions from borough residents, and between $10,000 and $50,094 (depending on the borough) in match-eligible contributions from city residents. For Public Advocate and Comptroller, candidates must receive 500 contributions from city residents, and $125,000 in match-eligible contributions. And for Mayor, candidates must receive 1,000 contributions from city residents and $250,000 in match-eligible contributions.
The CFB's Candidate Guidance and Policy staff offers extensive support to campaigns, providing access to training, resources, and one-on-one guidance to help them navigate their disclosure requirements and compliance obligations.
More information about the candidates' campaign finance data is available on the CFB website in the Campaign Finance Summary portal. Individual contribution data is available in the Follow the Money database.
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