Federal Election Commission Certifies Federal Matching Funds for Johnson

WASHINGTON – The Federal Election Commission has certified the payment of $4,484.00 in federal matching funds to Gary Earl Johnson for the 2012 primary election. The United States Treasury Department transferred the certified amount yesterday.

This raises the total amount of federal funds certified to Governor Gary Johnson/Gary Johnson 2012, Inc., to $308,235.20. Governor Gary Johnson/Gary Johnson 2012, Inc. is the authorized committee of Johnson, the Libertarian Party’s presidential candidate.

The Commission previously certified $351,961.10 in federal matching funds to Charles E. “Buddy” Roemer III and $333,331.22 to Jill Stein for President for the 2012 primary election

To become eligible, candidates must raise a threshold amount of $100,000 by collecting $5,000 in 20 different states in amounts no greater than $250 from any individual. 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.

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