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Interested in running for office? Looking for more information on the Citizens Clean Elections Act?

Here is a quick trip through what it takes to become a participating candidate. Should you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Citizens Clean Elections Commission staff at 602-364-3477 or toll free at 1-877-631-8891.

What is a participating candidate?

A participating candidate is an individual who has decided to run in 2010 for a statewide office or legislative office and agrees not to accept special interest monies and adhere to the Citizens Clean Elections Act and Commission Rules in return for receiving funding from the Citizens Clean Elections Fund. In order for a candidate to receive funding, the participating candidate must collect a specified number of $5 Qualifying Contributions from registered voters within his or her district.

Is Clean Elections funding available for recall elections?

Yes. $5 qualifying contributions early contributions may only be collected during the 30 period following the day the election was called. Candidates for a recall election are only eligible to recieve an amount equal to the general election funding amount.

Limitations applicable to participating candidates
Early Contribution Limits

  • Collected during 11/3/10- 8/23/12
  • Individuals may contribute up to a maximum of $150.00.
  • Contributions from political action committees (PACs), businesses, corporations, political parties and labor unions are prohibited.
  • Candidates may contribute his or her personal funds up to a maximum amount of $670 for candidates for the legislature and $1,330 for candidates running for a statewide office.
  • A traditional candidate who later chooses to run as a participating candidate may not have spent contributions exceeding the individual early contribution limit or the aggregate early contribution limit.
  • The personal contribution limit includes contributions received from certain family members.
    Candidates’ early contributions must not exceed the following:,

Corporation Commissioner

$22,969

Legislature

$3,589

$5 Qualifying Contributions

  • Collected During 1/1/10 – 8/19/10 for candidates for the - Legislature and 8/1/09 – 8/19/10 for candidates for statewide office. The minimum number of qualifying contributions a candidate must receive:

Corporation Commissioner

Legislature

1,650

220

Expenditures

  • A participating candidate must adhere to expenditure limits, and may not make expenditures in excess of the cash on hand. This includes both early contributions received and candidate funding.

Funding

  • Candidates running for statewide office or the Legislature will receive the following:

Primary Election

Corporation Commissioner

$91,874

Legislature

$14,355

General Election

Corporation Commissioner

$137,811

Legislature

$21,533

Training Workshops & Debates

  • A participating candidate is required to attend a Commission training workshops. We recommend that the campaign treasurer also attend a training workshop. Click here to view the scheduled workshops.
  • A participating candidate must attend a Commission sponsored debate. Candidates will be notified of the time and place of both the primary and general election debates.