Citizens' Election Fund
3430 Court House Dr
Ellicott City, MD 21043
United States
About
The Citizens’ Election Fund provides matching County funds to candidates for County Council and County Executive based on qualified contributions to participating candidates. The Fund was created to provide public campaign financing to a candidate in a County office in an effort to reduce the role of large private contributions during the election process and instead encourage small, private donations.
Program Overview
The attached presentation include a brief overview of the Citizens’ Election Fund program, available resources, the participation progress, types of contributions and the applicable requirements. The second part of the presentation covers how to file reports through MDCRIS and provide additional information on disbursements and other pertinent information. The attached PDF has built in hyperlinks to allow for easy navigation.
Announcements
Please note: On March 15 the Court of Appeals ordered one-time changes to the filing deadlines for the 2022 election cycle.
The candidate filing deadline is now April 15 at 9 p.m. The March 4 deadline to withdraw a certificate of candidacy has also been extended to April 18; the March 8 deadline to fill a vacancy in candidacy for a primary election is extended to April 20; and the March 9 deadline to challenge a candidate's residency is extended to April 21.
The June 28 primary date has been changed. The primary will now be held on July 19, 2022. These changes impact the 2022 election cycle only.
Commission Information
Title
Commission Timeline & History
Content
April 2013
- The Maryland General Assembly passed the Campaign Reform Act, which authorized Maryland counties to establish a campaign finance system for County Executive and County Council races.
April 5th, 2016
- The Howard County Council passed a resolution (4-1) to amend the County Charter to establish a Citizens’ Election Fund.
November 4th, 2016
- Howard County residents voted to adopt the amendment with 52% voting in favor.
June 5th, 2017
- The Howard County Council comprised of Jon Weinstein, Calvin Ball, Jen Terrasa, Mary Kay Sigaty, and Greg Fox at the time, passed a bill to create a public finance system for candidates who turn down large donations.
June 13th, 2017
- Then-County Executive Allan Kittleman vetoed the bill.
July 3rd, 2017
- The Howard County Council voted (4-1) to override then County Executive Kittleman’s veto, establishing the fund per the charter amendment and creating the Citizens Election Fund Commission to oversee the process.
January 2019
- Donations to the fund became available to residents either online or through their quarterly water and sewer bills.
May 2019
- The Citizens Election Fund was established, and they had their first meeting the following June.
May 2020
- The County Council approved County Executive Calvin Ball’s proposal to allocate $750,000 to support the Citizens Election Fund.
May 2021
- The County Council approved County Executive Calvin Ball’s proposal to allocate $500,000 to support the Citizens Election Fund.
Title
Commission Members
Content
- Ms. Suzanne Geckle (Chair)
- Mr. Douglas Miller (Vice-Chair)
- Ms. Ginna Rodriguez-Panqueva
- Ms. Jennifer Bevan-Dangel
- Mr. Ralph Frith
- Mr. Keith Ohlinger
- Ms. Nadine Bernard
Title
Fund Donations
Content
Donations made to the Citizens’ Election Fund go toward Maryland State Board of Elections certified candidates who opt to participate in the program. Citizens wishing to make donations to the Citizens’ Election Fund, via credit card, may do so with the link below.
Title
Program Overview Presentation
Content
Program Overview
The attached presentation include a brief overview of the Citizens’ Election Fund program, available resources, the participation progress, types of contributions and the applicable requirements. The second part of the presentation covers how to file reports through MDCRIS and provide additional information on disbursements and other pertinent information. The attached PDF has built in hyperlinks to allow for easy navigation.
Title
Frequently Asked Questions
Content
Please use the link below to see the Citizens’ Election Fund Frequently Asked Questions. Revised 4/28/2022.
Title
Summary Guide
Content
Please use the link below to see the Citizens’ Election Fund Summary Guide. Revised January 2022.
Title
Adopted Rules of Procedure
Content
Please use the link below to see the Citizens’ Election Fund Adopted Rules of Procedure. Rules of Procedure were revised on 10/12/2021.
Title
2021-2022 Reporting Timeline
Content
Please use the link below to see the Citizens’ Election Fund 2021-2022 Reporting Timeline.
Revised 3/21/2022
Title
Qualifying Contribution Match Reference Guide
Content
Please use the link below to see the Citizens’ Election Fund Qualifying Contribution Match Reference Guide.
Title
Maryland Campaign Reporting Information System Help Desk (MDCRIS)
Content
Website: www.elections.state.md.us
Email: info.sbe@maryland.gov
Phone: 410-269-2880
Fax: 410-974-2019
Business Hours: 8:00AM - 5:00 PM, M – F
Meeting Agendas & Minutes
Title
2021
Title
2020
Next Schedule Meeting
Out next meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, June 28, 2022. The meeting will be conducted as a virtual Webex meeting/conference call. To join, please call 1-650-479-3207. The meeting number (access code) is 2304498845.