Funding

Skip Navigation LinksABOUT US > Funding

Where does the CCEC get their Funding?

Citizens Clean Elections Commission funding comes from several different sources:

  • 10% surcharge on all civil penalties and criminal fines
  • Voluntary $5 check-off box on Arizona state income tax return forms.
  • Voluntary dollar for dollar tax credit on donations of up to $640 or 20% state income tax amount whichever is greater.
  • Civil penalties paid by candidates.
  • $5 qualifying contributions collected from participating candidates.

2010 Calendar Year Funding Projections

  • Court Assessments (53%)
  • Tax Check-Off/Tax Credit (47%)
  • $5 Qualifying Contribution (.05%)
  • Other (including Commission Assessments) (.05%) 

How does the CCEC decide where to get its funding?

The CCEC did not decide where funding comes from. The People of Arizona did when they voted for the Clean Elections ballot measure in 1998. The measure included all of the funding sources.

I hear people say that this program is nothing more than “tax dollars for politicians.” Is this true?

No. The candidates who apply for clean elections funding do not receive any money from the general fund. The only tax dollars they receive come from individuals who voluntarily donate to the Commission and from those that break the law.

Who is eligible for Clean Elections funding?

All state legislative candidates as well as all statewide office candidates are eligible for funding from Clean Elections. They must meet certain requirements, among them collecting a certain number of $5 qualifying contributions.

How does the Clean Elections Commission spend their funding?

The CCEC is statutorily mandated to spend no more than 10% of its funding on enforcement and at least 10% on education. The education plan includes sending a candidate statement pamphlet to every home in the State with a registered voter for both the primary and general elections, sponsoring legislative and statewide candidate debates as well as traveling around the State conducting participating candidate workshops. In addition the Commission also funds participating candidates’ campaigns as well as equalizing funds for all participating candidates.

Has Clean Elections been successful in increasing the number of “participating” candidates?

Yes. The percentage of people running as participating candidates rather than as traditional candidates has increased every election cycle. In 2000 only 26% of the primary candidates ran using clean elections funding. In 2008 participation increased to 65%.