New Poll Finds Majority Support for Public Campaign Financing and Additional Reforms to Rein in Big Donor Influence

Concern Among New Yorkers of All Backgrounds 
Over Money in Politics

A new poll from Data for Progress, conducted in partnership with Citizen Action of New York, reveals strong bipartisan support for the state’s Public Campaign Finance Program (PCFP), now in its second cycle, and overwhelming concern from voters about the grip of wealthy donors on state politics—and a clear demand for leaders to act.

The survey, conducted from July 1 to 11, 2025, of 1,067 likely voters in New York State and found that voters across party lines support continued funding for the PCFP. When asked, 62% of New York voters expressed support for providing “sufficient funding for the small-donor matching program so it can run as intended.” Overall, the PCFP enjoys a +41-point margin of support (64% support, 23% oppose), with strong majorities in New York City (70%), Western New York (74%), and the Capital Region (65%). 

Launched for the 2024 elections, the PCFP transformed campaign fundraising in legislative races, with candidates from both major parties relying more on small, in-district contributions instead of large checks from billionaires, corporations, and special interests. 

The poll also revealed 78% of New Yorkers are concerned about the influence of big money in New York politics, including strong majorities of Democrats (81%), independents (78%), and Republicans (72%). Nearly 9 in 10 voters (89%) believe wealthy donors have more influence over politicians than the average voter. The full poll crosstabs can be found here. 

And voters aren’t just angry, they’re ready for even more reforms. A full 66% of New Yorkers say that elected officials should prioritize countering the influence of wealthy donors. 

“This poll confirms what our movement has been saying all along: New Yorkers want a democracy that serves the people, not powerful interests, and are ready to take back their democracy from the chokehold of big money,” said Karen Wharton, Democracy Coalition Coordinator at Citizen Action of New York. “The Public Campaign Finance Program is a tool we won—through organizing, through people power—to elevate everyday voices and shift influence away from billionaires hijacking our elections and our government. Now it’s up to our leaders to listen, fully fund and protect the program, and push even further to unrig the system. This is a bipartisan mandate for action. The people have spoken, and the numbers don’t lie.”

Additional poll highlights include: 

• 81% say elected officials should make it a priority to stop candidates from coordinating with outside special interest groups to bankroll their campaigns.
• 66% say it should be a priority to pass a law stating that the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision was wrongly decided.
• 83% say it should be a priority to limit the influence of foreign governments and corporations from contributing to U.S. elections, with 60% naming this as a top priority.

These results reflect that New Yorkers from every background—across race, age, education, and political party—demand change. Voters are ready to take power back from corporations and billionaires and build a people-powered government that works for us, not just the wealthy few.

“New Yorkers are clear about what they want. As this poll shows, a majority of voters support the state’s small donor matching program as an important tool to address the outsized influence of big money on state politics,” said Marina Pino, Counsel, Elections and Government Program, Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law. “New Yorkers in all corners of the state want Albany to keep supporting and building on this historic reform to deliver a much-needed antidote to the political power of the very wealthiest donors in elections elsewhere.”

“New Yorkers are done watching billionaires, corporations, special interests, and even foreign entities buy political influence while our voices get pushed to the sidelines.” said Taina Wagnac, Director of State and Local Policy at New York Immigration Coalition. “The message from this poll is crystal clear: as the Public Campaign Finance Program enters its second cycle, voters want leaders to continue funding and protecting the Public Campaign Finance Program and to back it up with additional safeguards—strong transparency laws, an iron wall against foreign money, and an end to campaign’s secret coordination with outside groups. This is how we take our democracy back from the highest bidder and put it where it belongs: in the hands of the people.”

“Voters from all parties agree: public financing of elections is good. We’ve seen candidates are eager to participate in a democratic system that puts the interests of the people over big, wealthy donors,” said Susan Lerner, Executive Director, Common Cause New York. “ It allows them to rely less on big money donors and instead focus their attention on appealing to all New Yorkers. We trust Albany lawmakers will continue to expand this much-needed program.”

“Voters across party lines think that the wealthy have too much influence in politics, and this survey shows that vast majorities see public campaign finance as one of the best ways for states to fight the problem,” said Tom Speaker, Legislative Director, Reinvent Albany.  “We urge state leaders to continue funding the New York State public campaign finance program to empower small donors and reduce the influence of special interests.” 

“This poll shows that no matter where you live, from Buffalo to the Bronx, from North Country to Staten Island, people are tired of feeling shut out of a political process that favors the ultra-wealthy,” said Jonathan Bix, Executive Director, For The Many. “The Public Campaign Finance Program increases opportunities for candidates and communities alike. Fresh off its successful first cycle, it is delivering, which is why New Yorkers overwhelmingly support continuing this program as it was intended. It’s a common-sense solution to restore integrity and rebuild trust in our democracy.”

“New Yorkers across the political spectrum are concerned about the outsized influence of big money in our politics. An overwhelming majority believe candidates should take advantage of the state’s groundbreaking small-donor matching program to help level the playing field between wealthy donors and everyday citizens,” said Brett Edkins, Managing Director of Policy and Political Affairs, Stand Up America.  “As lawmakers consider the program’s future, they should recognize its broad, bipartisan support and its potential to strengthen public trust in state government.” 

“New York’s public campaign finance system is not only good policy – it’s good politics. As this poll shows, New Yorkers want their representatives to strengthen the state’s matching funds program, ensure it is fully funded, and participate in it as candidates,” said Ben Weinberg, Director of Public Policy at Citizens Union. “Albany lawmakers should heed the clear demand from voters and prioritize reforms that limit the power of big-money donors in our political system.”

“New Yorkers are done watching billionaires and special interests buy our elections while working families get pushed to the sidelines. The Public Campaign Finance system is working and it enables more New Yorkers to run for office to represent their communities,” said Cori Marquis, Deputy Campaigns Director, New York Working Families Party.

“This poll sends a clear message: New Yorkers overwhelmingly believe that democracy should be driven by the voices of voters, not the wallets of wealthy donors,” said Erica Smitka, Executive Director, League of Women Voters of New York State. “The Public Campaign Finance Program is an important step toward restoring trust in our elections and ensuring that all candidates, regardless of background, have a fair shot at running for office. The League of Women Voters of New York State urges our leaders to fully fund and strengthen this program so that the power of democracy remains in the hands of the voter.”

“New Yorkers are done watching billionaires, corporations, special interests, and even foreign entities buy political influence while our voices get pushed to the sidelines,” said Taina Wagnac, Director of State and Local Policy, New York Immigration Coalition. “The message from this poll is crystal clear: as the Public Campaign Finance Program enters its second cycle, voters want leaders to continue funding and protecting the Public Campaign Finance Program and to back it up with additional safeguards—strong transparency laws, an iron wall against foreign money, and an end to campaign’s secret coordination with outside groups. This is how we take our democracy back from the highest bidder and put it where it belongs: in the hands of the people.” 

“New Yorkers across the political spectrum and the state agree that we deserve a democracy that represents, reflects, and responds to all of us. New York State’s public campaign finance program gives political power to everyday New Yorkers – boosting their influence and voice in our elections – and ensures that wealthy donors and corporate interests do not have an outsized influence,” said Christine Wood, Co-Director, Declaration for American Democracy Coalition. “Seeing the robust support from every corner of the state, we trust Albany legislators will continue to support and expand this historic program.”

“The Public Campaign Finance Program has already shown it can change the game, but a healthy democracy can’t run on half-measures,” said Myra Saul, Co-Organizer, Westchester for Change. “In this moment and with the program running as intended for the upcoming cycle, lawmakers have the opportunity to tackle the rest of the big-money problem – closing loopholes that let special interests flood our elections with dark money. This is about building a democracy New Yorkers can believe in.” 

“The small donor public financing program is what the people of our city and state want to see continue. It amplifies the voices of everyday New Yorkers who are ready to serve and lead, while keeping big money and outside interests out of our elections,” said Jamell Henderson, Member, NY BIPOC Democracy Table. “At a time when trust in government and confidence in leadership are at historic lows, this program is a critical tool to rebuild the connection between the people and those elected to represent them.”