Public Campaign Financing in North Carolina Judiciary: Balancing The Scales

Publication Date: April 2010

Publisher: Center for Governmental Studies

Author(s): Sasha Horwitz

Research Area: Campaign Finance

Type: Report

Coverage: United States North Carolina

Abstract:

Public Campaign Financing in North Carolina Judiciary: Balancing The Scales analyzes North Carolina's judicial public campaign financing law, and concludes that North Carolina's judicial campaign finance program is a model of reform, but that four recommended reforms should be implemented in order to ensure the long-term viability of the program. The program insulates Court of Appeals and Supreme Court judges from the influence of contributors who may have an interest in cases before the judge and decreases the amount of time judicial candidates need to spend fundraising, therefore increasing the time candidates can spend with all voters, regardless of the voters' ability to make campaign contributions. In addition, public financing programs such as North Carolina's have been shown to increase the public's confidence in their elected officials.