May 28, 2019
Media Contacts:
Mark Miller, Administrator, Office of Public Information, 410-313-2022
Charmaine Wilson, Citizens’ Election Fund Liaison, Department of Finance, 410-313-2061
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – The Howard County Citizens’ Election Fund Commission will hold its first meeting on Tuesday, June 4 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City, to discuss the commission’s path forward.
“Our democracy should reward the candidates with the best ideas, not the deepest pockets,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “As a member of the Howard County Council, I, along with a majority of the Council, supported the option for candidates competing for County Executive and County Council offices to utilize public financing. The voters of Howard County agreed via referendum in the 2016 General Election. Since the passage of the referendum, I helped ensure, through the establishment of the Citizens’ Election Fund, a process that would be accessible and fair to all candidates and contributors. I am so excited for this first meeting of the Election Fund Commission and proud to get PAC money out of Howard County politics. The future of our elections will now be more transparent and people powered.”
Established through legislation in 2017, the Citizens’ Election Fund Commission consists of seven members responsible for overseeing and administering Howard County’s Citizens’ Election Fund. The fund is a voluntary program for small donor financing of local campaigns. Candidates choose to participate and accept the conditions associated with public campaign funds. By accepting these funds, candidates agree to forgo private contributions from political action committees, corporations, labor organizations or state and local central committees of any political party.
An interpreter for people who are deaf or hard of hearing will be available if requested seven working days prior to the meeting. Please call the Citizens’ Election Fund Liaison at 410-313-2061 (voice) or use Relay at 7-1-1, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
For more information about the Citizens’ Election Fund and commission, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/Departments/Finance/Citizens-Election-Fund.
Those interested in donating to the Citizens’ Election Fund can do so online at www.howardcountymd.gov/Departments/Finance/Citizens-Election-Fund or via their quarterly water and sewer bill. Donations made to the Citizens’ Election Fund go toward Maryland State Board of Elections certified candidates who opt to participate in the program. The fund will be available to candidates during the 2022 election cycle.
For questions or more information about the commission and fund, contact Charmaine Wilson, Citizens’ Election Fund Liaison, at 410-313-2061 or email chwilson@howardcountymd.gov.