(a)  To effectuate the purpose stated in § 17-25-18, public funds shall be made available under the terms and conditions of this section and § 17-25-20 — § 17-25-27 to qualifying candidates for general office who agree to abide by a limitation on the total amount of campaign contributions received and expenditures made for election purposes.

lawyer at desk

Ask a legal question, get an answer ASAP!
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 17-25-19

  • Candidate: means any individual who undertakes any action, whether preliminary or final, which is necessary under the law to qualify for nomination for election or election to public office, and/or any individual who receives a contribution or makes an expenditure, or gives his or her consent for any other person to receive a contribution or make an expenditure, with a view to bringing about his or her nomination or election to any public office, whether or not the specific public office for which he or she will seek nomination or election is known at the time the contribution is received or the expenditure is made and whether or not he or she has announced his or her candidacy or filed a declaration of candidacy at that time. See Rhode Island General Laws 17-25-3
  • Election: means any primary, general, or special election or town meeting for any public office of the state, municipality, or district, or for the determination of any question submitted to the voters of the state, municipality, or district. See Rhode Island General Laws 17-25-3
  • Election cycle: means the twenty-four month (24) period commencing on January 1 of odd number years and ending on December 31 of even number years; provided, with respect to the public financing of election campaigns of general officers under §§ 17-25-19, 17-25-20, and 17-25-25, "election cycle" means the forty-eight month (48) period commencing on January 1 of odd numbered years and ending December 31 of even numbered years. See Rhode Island General Laws 17-25-3
  • expenditures: include all transfers of money, credit or debit card transactions, on-line or electronic payment systems such as "pay pal" paid personal services, or other thing of value to or by any candidate, committee of a political party, or political action committee or ballot question advocate. See Rhode Island General Laws 17-25-3
  • Oath: A promise to tell the truth.
  • oath: includes affirmation; the word "sworn" includes affirmed; and the word "engaged" includes either sworn or affirmed. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-11

(b)  Candidates for general office shall be eligible to receive two dollars ($2.00) of public funds for each qualified dollar ($1.00) of private funds contributed which do not exceed an aggregate of five hundred dollars ($500) from a single source within an election cycle and one dollar ($1.00) of public funds for each qualified dollar ($1.00) of private funds contributed which exceed an aggregate of five hundred dollars ($500) from a single source within an election cycle but do not exceed the limitations on aggregate contributions which are eligible to be matched set in subdivision 17-25-20(3), subject to the provisions of subdivision 17-25-20(2). The total amount of public funds provided to a candidate shall not exceed seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000) in matching funds for a total of one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) for candidates for governor; and one hundred eighty-seven thousand five hundred dollars ($187,500) in matching funds for a total of three hundred seventy-five thousand dollars ($375,000) for candidates for other general offices.

(c)  In order to be eligible for matching public funds, each candidate at the time he or she becomes a candidate, as defined in subdivision 17-25-3(2), but no later than 4:00 pm on the last day for filing declarations of candidacy for general office, must sign a statement under oath pledging to comply with the limitations on campaign contributions and expenditures and with all of the terms and conditions set forth in this chapter. Any candidate who fails to file the statement with his or her declaration for office shall be ineligible to receive public funds.

History of Section.
P.L. 1988, ch. 420, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 21, § 3; P.L. 1994, ch. 78, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 229, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 230, § 1.

§ 17-25-19. Public financing of election campaigns — Outlined. [Effective January 1, 2024.]

(a)  To effectuate the purpose stated in § 17-25-18, public funds shall be made available under the terms and conditions of this section and § 17-25-20 — § 17-25-27 to qualifying candidates for general office and primary elections who agree to abide by a limitation on the total amount of campaign contributions received and expenditures made for election purposes.

(b)  Candidates for general office and primary elections shall be eligible to receive two dollars ($2.00) of public funds for each qualified dollar ($1.00) of private funds contributed which do not exceed an aggregate of five hundred dollars ($500) from a single source within an election cycle and one dollar ($1.00) of public funds for each qualified dollar ($1.00) of private funds contributed which exceed an aggregate of five hundred dollars ($500) from a single source within an election cycle but do not exceed the limitations on aggregate contributions which are eligible to be matched set in § 17-25-20(3), subject to the provisions of § 17-25-20(2). The total amount of public funds provided to a candidate shall not exceed seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000) in matching funds for a total of one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) for candidates for governor; and one hundred eighty-seven thousand five hundred dollars ($187,500) in matching funds for a total of three hundred seventy-five thousand dollars ($375,000) for candidates for other general offices.

(c)  In order to be eligible for matching public funds, each candidate at the time he or she becomes a candidate, as defined in § 17-25-3(3), but no later than 4:00 pm on the last day for filing declarations of candidacy for general office, must sign a statement under oath pledging to comply with the limitations on campaign contributions and expenditures and with all of the terms and conditions set forth in this chapter. Any candidate who fails to file the statement with his or her declaration for office shall be ineligible to receive public funds.

History of Section.
P.L. 1988, ch. 420, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 21, § 3; P.L. 1994, ch. 78, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 229, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 230, § 1; P.L. 2023, ch. 357, § 1, effective January 1, 2024; P.L. 2023, ch. 377, § 1, effective January 1, 2024.