Public financing OK'd for Chapel Hill elections

Officials in Chapel Hill could soon experiment with public financing for local election campaigns.

A bill passed by the state Senate 35-9 Thursday would allow the Town Council to conduct a pilot project in which taxpayer money could be used to help finance some candidates' campaigns. The program would be voluntary for candidates, who would first have to demonstrate their viability by collecting small donations. Details of the program, such as how much would be set aside for those candidates, would be decided once the program begins, officials said.

Supporters say the public financing would have a number of benefits. Council member Mark Kleinschmidt said campaign funding is an obstacle to many in Chapel Hill who might otherwise run for office.

"If we can remove that obstacle for people who are considering running for office, it will provide for a more robust campaign season," he said.

"I think the Town Council is hoping it will attract more women and minorities [to run]," said Rep. Verla Insko, the bill's primary sponsor.

Public financing could also renew confidence among voters, Kleinschmidt said.

"It will give voters confidence that candidates who choose to participate aren't beholden to large contributors," he said.

"I anticipate it will be widely accepted," Insko said. "The voters in Chapel Hill have been calling for this for a long time."

The project will run through two elections and require the council to report the results to the legislature within six months of the second. The bill already passed the House. It does not require the governor's signature.

The town of Cary began a public financing campaign in 2001 that by the State Board of Elections later declared illegal.

Kleinschmidt said the Cary incident made officials in Chapel Hill realize "we couldn't do it without the state legislature."