Publicly funded elections

The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. You may improve this article, discuss the issue on the talk page, or create a new article, as appropriate. (May 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

A publicly funded election is an election funded with money collected through income tax donations or taxes as opposed to private or corporate-funded campaigns. In 1974, following the Watergate scandal, the U.S. Congress revised the Federal Election Campaign Act to create a voluntary public financing system for presidential campaigns. Candidates demonstrating grassroots support and agreeing to spending limits can opt for a mixed funding model in the primaries, which includes public matching funds for small donor contributions. Candidates can choose to receive full public funding for the general election, which prohibits private contributions, aiming to promote a fairer democracy and reduce the influence of corporate and private entities.^[1] Jurisdictions such as United Kingdom, Norway, India, Russia, Brazil, Nigeria, and Sweden have considered legislation that would create publicly funded elections.^[2]