Fair Elections for NY Responds to Rumored Changes to the NY Public Campaign Finance Program

STATEMENT FROM FAIR ELECTIONS FOR NEW YORK COALITION ON CHANGES TO THE PUBLIC CAMPAIGN FINANCE SYSTEM IN NEW YORK

NEW YORK – Last week, Newsday reported that lawmakers were attempting to propose changes to the state’s historic small donor matching fund program, also known as the Public Campaign Finance Program, in the FY2026 budget. 

In response, the Fair Elections for New York coalition issued the following statement:

“News reports suggest that politicians in Albany are secretly negotiating changes to New York’s first-in-the-nation statewide small donor matching system, which helped double the number of donors making small-dollar contributions and halve donations from big money groups in New York in 2024. The Fair Elections coalition welcomes regular improvements to the public finance system, but those changes must be part of an open process that includes public hearings and ample time for stakeholders to review and comment on proposals.     

“To be clear, the coalition believes some changes to the system are needed, which is why we whole-heartedly embrace the Public Campaign Finance Board’s recommendations. Public financing systems across the country ordinarily evolve over time. New York’s system can be streamlined, administrative burdens on candidates can be reduced, and the program can be improved to work for candidates of every stripe while still combatting the corrupt influence of big money on our politics. We are ready and willing to discuss possible changes with New York’s leaders today.”

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