Rhode Island is evaluating the success of their public matching-funds program in their most recent election. This article, courtesy of The Providence Journal outlines the broad use of the program, in particular by the challenger to Governor Carcieri, Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty but suggests candidates are disadvantaged if they use the system in a primary against a privately financed opponent.

Reform groups are weighing in on potential changes they'd like to see. Common Cause of Rhode Island will be supporting a Clean Elections-style system of public financing for Rhode Island in this legislative session, modeled on the successful systems in place in Maine and Arizona, which would do even more to limit the influence of private money on elections.