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Federal Election Commission | United States of America
  • FEC Record: Public funding

Commission declares Martin O'Malley eligible to receive federal matching funds

November 23, 2015

On November 19, 2015, Martin J. O’Malley became the first 2016 presidential candidate to be declared eligible by the Federal Election Commission to receive federal matching funds. O’Malley is seeking the Democratic nomination for president.

To become eligible for matching funds, candidates must raise a threshold amount of $100,000 by collecting $5,000 in 20 different states. Although an individual may contribute up to $2,700 to a primary candidate in the current election cycle, only a maximum of $250 per individual applies toward the $5,000 threshold in each state.

Other requirements to be declared eligible include agreeing to an overall spending limit, abiding by spending limits in each state, using public funds only for legitimate campaign-related expenses, keeping financial records and permitting an extensive campaign audit.

Based on documents filed by O’Malley for President on November 3, 2015, contributions were verified for threshold purposes from: California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

All of the materials included with this submission may be viewed here. Based on O’Malley’s initial threshold submission, the Commission will request that the United States Treasury make an initial payment of $100,000 to O’Malley’s campaign.

Once declared eligible, campaigns may submit additional contributions for matching funds on the first business day of every month. The U.S. Treasury Department may pay the Commission-certified amounts beginning in January 2016.

The presidential public funding program is financed through the $3 check-off that appears on individual income tax returns. The program now has two elements: matching payments to participating candidates during the primary campaign and grants available to nominees to pay for the general election campaign. On April 3, 2014, President Barack Obama signed legislation to end the public funding of presidential nomination conventions.

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This information is not intended to replace the law or to change its meaning, nor does this information create or confer any rights for or on any person or bind the Federal Election Commission or the public.

The reader is encouraged also to consult the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), Commission regulations (Title 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations), Commission advisory opinions and applicable court decisions.