How does public funding of Presidential elections work, and how may candidates qualify to receive it?
Under federal election law, presidential candidates may choose to accept public funds if they agree to abide by specified expenditure limits and meet other eligibility criteria. Primary election campaigns are funded through the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account, general election campaigns and conventions through the Presidential Election Campaign Fund. These funds come from a $3 per taxpayer optional check-off designation on Federal income tax returns. A primary candidate may be eligible for matching funds after raising $100,000, in amounts of $5,000 from each of 20 States, in donations from individuals of $250 or less. Thereafter, the Fund matches each contribution of $250 or less until the total amount of public funds equals 50% of the candidate’s primary spending limit. By linking the level of funds received to that of private funds raised in the primaries, the law seeks to insure receipt of public funds only by serious candidates (i.e., those who demonstrate public supp
