DC mayor signs bill for publicly financed campaigns

Washington Post - D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) has signed a law that will create publicly financed elections, reversing her previous opposition to a plan that advocates say will help curb money’s influence in District politics.

The law, which will first affect elections in 2020, will steer millions annually toward the campaigns of local candidates and is aimed at reducing their reliance on deep- pocketed donors.

Under Washington’s voluntary program, candidates who accept public financing must agree to smaller contribution limits for their donors. In exchange, they receive matching funds at a rate of $5 for every $1 raised from a District resident.  Depending on the office, candidates must also raise a threshold sum of money from a certain number of contributors to qualify for the program.