The Council enacted an
ordinance on June 9, 2008, to establish a Voter Owned Elections Program to
become effective beginning with the fall 2009 Town of Chapel Hill municipal
elections. Public information sessions on the program will be conducted in
April and July of 2009. The pilot program is voluntary and requires extensive
reporting requirements.
Chapel Hill is the first municipality in North Carolina to receive the
authorization from the NC General Assembly to enact such a program. Before the
program may be established, the Council would need to receive approval from the
State Board of Elections.
A Voter Owned Election is a comprehensive system that provides candidates a
voluntary option for a new way to run for office. Candidates who are registered
with the program agree to:
·Collect a large number of $5 to $20 qualifying contributions to
demonstrate community support
·Limit campaign spending
·Agree to comply with strict administrative rules
In return, participating candidates receive limited amounts of campaign
dollars from a publicly financed fund for use only for allowed campaign
expenses.
Candidates are required to demonstrate a level of support from the public by
collecting an established number of qualifying contributions ($750 from at
least 75 contributors if they are running for Council and $1,500 from at least
150 contributors if they are running for mayor).
Public grants for qualified candidates are $3,000 for those running for
Council and $9,000 for Mayoral candidates. Candidates choosing to participate
in the program are required to raise no more than $2,250 if they are running
for Council, and no more than $4,500 if they are running for Mayor.
