A government panel in New Hampshire has recommended the state take steps to implement a system of voluntary public funding of state election campaigns.  The panel released its report yesterday recommending New Hampshire develop a hybrid system, where a qualifying number of small contributions from citizens be matched by public funds for primary elections, and grants of public funds for general elections. A pdf file of the report can be seen here.  A system covering races for state senate, executive council and governor would cost about $6.5 million annually, according to the Commission to Study the Feasibility of Public Funding of State Election Campaigns. The panel suggested nine funding sources including grants and voluntary contributions to get the program started, a voluntary check off on state tax returns, the sale of special license plates, and a lobbyist fee increase.  The panel suggested that the state begin a pilot program covering six state senate elections over three election cycles if full implementation of a Clean Elections-style program couldn’t be made in the near term.  The seven members of the panel were named by New Hampshire’s governor, president of the state senate, speaker of the House of Representatives and the secretary of state.  Good luck New Hampshire. Clean Elections programs are working well in Arizona, Connecticut, Maine and North Carolina.  The Clean Elections concept is growing at the state and federal level. Please consider a donation to Public Campaign to help us continue our work on these vital programs.