Public Campaign - Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill Passes

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:09:44 -0500

Way to go Chapel Hill! After many years of work, the town council has approved a pilot program of full public financing for town council races. The idea was already approved by the state legislature. This is the first municipality in North Carolina to have a full public financing program. Candidates for the state's Supreme and Appellate Court positions, as well as three of the Council of State positions also have the option to run with public financing.

Meeting Notes

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 22 May 2008 14:47:51 -0500

The Daily Tar Heel reports out on a recent town hall meeting on the Voter Owned public financing program being considered by the Chapel Hill, North Carolina Town Council to cover their elections. The idea has already been approved by the North Carolina legislature. The cost of running for office in Chapel Hill runs in the thousands of dollars -- certainly nothing like the millions it takes to run for federal office, but well out of reach for many people interested in public office but without access to wealth.

Public Financing Going to the Chapel?

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 15 May 2008 10:44:07 -0500

Speaking of North Carolina, Chapel Hill may become the state's first municipality to offer a full public financing option for city council races. The state legislature has approved the idea, now the council is debating it. Cities like Portland, Oregon and Albuquerque, New Mexico offer a full public financing option and officials in more cities (like Los Angeles and New York) are proposing similar programs as the cost of running for office goes up and closes more people out.

Chapel Hill Hearings

Katie Schlieper — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:36:00 -0500

Hearings on a new full public financing program for elections in Chapel Hill, North Carolina are getting underway after a long effort by town council member Mark Kleinschmidt to get attention to the issue. The North Carolina Assembly has opened the door for Chapel Hill to pursue this on a pilot basis, we'll see if it goes all the way.

Snipping the Price Tag

Katie Schlieper — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 15:52:13 -0500

The Daily Tar Heel weighs in on recent efforts in Chapel Hill, North Carolina to implement a full public financing option for municipal races. The price tag to win a seat in Chapel Hill is typically thousands of dollars -- well out of reach for many people who might otherwise make excellent candidates. The editorial supports public financing to level the playing field for all competitors.

Chapel Hill Goes Clean

Katie Schlieper — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 10:56:17 -0500

In an effort to boost the number and diversity of candidates who can seek office in Chapel Hill, the North Carolina Senate yesterday approved a Clean Elections pilot program for town council races. Town Council member Mark Kleinschmidt speaks in this article about the anticipated benefits of such a program. North Carolina, which currently has full public financing available for judicial races, is considering passing it for some legislative and Council of State races as well.

Progress on Two Fronts

Katie Schlieper — Wed, 23 May 2007 16:51:49 -0500

We have two pieces of good news from North Carolina today. A group of prominent campaign donors have come forward in favor of public financing for the state's elections, and the state House approved a public financing pilot project for elections in the town of Chapel Hill.

Chapel Hill Vies for Public Financing System

Katie Schlieper — Fri, 18 May 2007 10:54:17 -0500

North Carolina's House Election and Campaign Finance Reform Committee approved a public financing pilot project for elections in the town of Chapel Hill, yesterday. The full House will have to approve it for it to go forward, but chances look very good. Read more here (last item).