Federal Election Commission Certifies Federal Matching Funds for Gary Johnson

WASHINGTON – The Federal Election Commission has certified $202,025.78 in federal matching funds to Gary Earl Johnson for the 2012 primary election.  The certified amount was in response to the fourth submission for matching funds made by Governor Gary Johnson/Gary Johnson 2012, Inc. The United States Treasury Department transferred the certified amount on Tuesday, December 18.

This raises the total amount of federal funds certified to Governor Gary Johnson/Gary Johnson 2012, Inc., to $510,260.98. Governor Gary Johnson/Gary Johnson 2012, Inc. is the authorized committee of Johnson, the Libertarian Party’s presidential candidate.

This year, the Commission also has certified $351,961.10 in federal matching funds to Charles E. “Buddy” Roemer III and $372,130.44 to Jill Stein for President for the primary.

To become eligible for matching funds, a candidate must raise a threshold amount of $100,000 by collecting $5,000 in each of 20 states in amounts no greater than $250 from any individual. Other requirements include agreeing to an overall spending limit, abiding by spending limits in each state, using public funds only for qualified campaign-related expenses, keeping financial records and permitting an extensive campaign audit.

The presidential public funding program is financed through the $3 check-off that appears on individual income tax returns. The program has three elements: matching payments to participating candidates during the primary campaign, grants to parties to help fund their nominating conventions, and grants available to nominees to pay for the general election.