Clean Elections gives candidates the option to qualify for public funding to run their campaigns. While the specifics vary, typically a candidate must collect a set number of small qualifying contributions—usually $5—from people in their district. The number of signatures and contributions required varies according to the office sought.

If a candidate runs under the Clean Elections system and is outspent by a privately funded opponent, the law will typically provide a matching grant to the publicly funded candidate, up to a limit. Extra funding is also often available if there is independent spending against a candidate by an outside group or individual.

Candidates who choose not to be participate in the Clean Elections system can raise money from private donors, but must follow state campaign finance limits and disclosure laws. Clean Elections laws must be voluntary to comply with the Supreme Court’s 1976 Buckley v. Valeo ruling, which specifically approved of voluntary public financing systems.