NC town seeks public election financing

Chapel Hill, N.C., will test "voter-owned" town elections beginning in 2009. The city would be allowed to operate the system for two cycles, then must report back to the state on its successes and failures.

According to the North Carolina Voters for Clean Elections:

Under public financing, candidates could receive a public grant to run their campaigns, but only if they first collect a certain number of small, qualifying contributions and agree to strict spending and fundraising limits.

Albuquerque, New Mexico and Portland, Oregon have similar local public financing programs.

    - Jim Grinstead