In-district Contributions Fueled 2013 City Council Races

Public matching funds encourage candidates to raise small contributions from the people they hope to represent in office—instead of relying solely on large contributions from special interests and wealthy individuals. To be eligible for public funds payments City Council candidates need to raise 75 contributions from residents of their district.

Our analysis of the 2013 elections shows that City Council candidates in eight districts raised 55% or more of their total individual contributions from residents of their own district. Candidates in another 11 districts raised between 45 and 55% of individual contributions from in-district contributors. Overall, in-district contributions account for not less than 20% of the total amount raised in any district with participating candidates.

Candidates will continue to seek support from the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, and Brooklyn Heights, which were a significant source of funds for 2013 candidates. However, the incentives built into the public matching funds program ensure that candidates don’t just rely on support from a small handful of wealthier neighborhoods. Rather, New Yorkers in every neighborhood can be confident that they have an opportunity to be heard.