In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated. “Applicant candidate” means a candidate who is seeking to be a certified candidate in a primary or general election. “Campaign finance entity” means a political committee established under Title 13 of the State Election Article {“Campaign Finance”}. “Certified candidate” means a candidate who is certified as eligible for public campaign financing from the Fund. “Commission” means the Baltimore City Fair Election Fund Commission. “Contested election” means any election in which there are more candidates for an office than the number who can be elected to that office. “Contribution” has the meaning stated in <cite data-doc="Md. Code" data-path="gel|1-101">State Election Law Article, § 1-101 </cite>{“Definitions: Contribution”}. “City Board” means the Baltimore City Board of Elections. “City resident” means a natural person who resides in Baltimore City. “Director” means the Director of Finance or the Director’s designee. “Election cycle” has the meaning stated in <cite data-doc="Md. Code" data-path="gel|1-101">State Election Law Article, § 1-101 </cite>{“Definitions: Election cycle”}. “Eligible contribution” means an aggregate donation in a 4-year election cycle from an individual, including an individual who does not reside in the City, that does not exceed the contribution level established in this subtitle. “Fund” means the Baltimore City Fair Election Fund. “Participating candidate” means a certified candidate who has received a public contribution from the Fund during the current election cycle. “Public contribution” means any money disbursed from the Fund to a certified candidate. “Publicly funded campaign account” means a campaign finance account established by a candidate for the exclusive purpose of receiving eligible contributions and spending funds in accordance with this subtitle. “Qualifying boost” means a one-time disbursement from the Fund to candidates for Mayor or Council President on certification under this subtitle. “Qualifying contribution” means an eligible contribution in support of an applicant candidate that is:made by a City resident; made after the beginning of the designated qualifying period, but no later than the respective election; and acknowledged by receipt that identifies the contributor’s name and residential address and signed by the contributor directly or by a digital signature using a method approved by the State Board. “Qualifying contribution” does not include an in-kind contribution of property, goods, or services. “Qualifying period” means the time beginning on January 1 following the last election for the office the candidate seeks and ending 45 days before the date of the primary election. “Slate” has the meaning stated in <cite data-doc="Md. Code" data-path="gel|1-101">State Election Law Article, § 1-101 </cite>{“Definitions: Slate”}. “State Board” means the Maryland State Board of Elections. Ord. 20-338

The Mayor and City Council find as follows. Local government should be responsive and serve the needs of all Baltimore City residents equally without regard to their wealth. Public officials should discharge their duties in an impartial manner, free from bias created by their own financial interests or, in the case of elected officials, the financial interests of those that may have supported them during their electoral campaigns. Costs of conducting electoral campaigns have increased significantly in recent years. Many candidates are forced to finance their campaigns by seeking large contributions from individuals and entities who thereby gain disproportionate influence over governmental decision once the candidate holds office. Qualified candidates without access to personal wealth or wealthy donor networks are often dissuaded from seeking public office. Those that do run find it difficult to win with their voices drowned out in the media and on the ground. Perception of the inappropriate and disproportionate influence on government by those monied donors who dominate campaign financing has led to disillusionment among city residents who have felt that their voices are not heard. This disillusionment has resulted in disengagement from the political process and government. It is the policy of Baltimore City to:diminish the public perception of corruption and build public faith and confidence in governmental and electoral processes; help reduce the influence of large individual and corporate campaign contributions on city government and eliminate the potential for public corruption; reduce the impact of wealth as a determinant for whether an individual seeks to pursue public office; enable City residents of all races and income to run for office based on the strength of their ideas, supported by small donations from the public and matching funds from the Fund; provide participating candidates with sufficient resources in order to communicate with voters; foster greater investment and more meaningful public participation in the political process among all Baltimoreans, regardless of race, gender, socio-economic status, or geography; prioritize accountability among elected officials to the constituents who elect them rather than those who fund their campaigns; strengthen public control over the direction of local government; and strengthen democracy in the city of Baltimore. Ord. 20-338