Table of Contents
Submitting a Matching Request
Once certified as eligible to receive public financing, candidates are eligible to make claims for additional public funds through the submission of a Matching Request. The amount of funds a candidate can receive is dependent on the amount of additional contributions the candidate submits. There is no limit on the number of Matching Requests a candidate can submit, but the deadline to submit claims is 5:00 pm on the 30th day after the election.
What is a matching contribution?
Matching Contributions are contributions that meet the following:
- Has not already been matched for public funds (Example: If a $50 contribution was approved in the Qualifying Request, it may not be used again in a Matching Request);
- Is made by an individual who is a San Francisco resident;
- Is made no earlier than 18 months prior to the election and no later than the 30th day following the date of the election; and
- Is supported by appropriate documentation.
See S.F. C&GC Code § 1.104.
How Do Candidates Make a Claim for Matching Funds?
To make a claim for additional public funds, candidates must submit a Matching Request. Filing a Matching Requestand supporting documentation is very similar to filing a Qualifying Request. The Matching Request is filed electronically. Also, a Matching Request must be accompanied by the same contribution list and supporting documentation used to verify contributions in the Qualifying Request. To review what supporting documentation is required, please refer to the “What Supporting Documentation is Needed?” section above. For instructions on how to file a Matching Request using the Commission’s public filing system NetFile, refer to the NetFile Filer Guide.
Is There a Minimum Amount of Contributions Required for a Matching Request?
Yes. Any submission of a claim for public funds must include a minimum of $1,000 of matching contributions, except during the final 14 days before an election, when a claim for public funds only needs to include a minimum of $200 of matching contributions.
How often may candidates submit a claim?
As long as candidates remain eligible to receive public funds, they may submit claims for additional funds on a continuous first-come, first-served basis. Once a candidate has been notified of a determination on an existing request, they may submit a new claim. This means a candidate may only have one request pending before the Ethics Commission at any time.
When is the last day a candidate may request matching funds?
All claims for public funds must be submitted no later than 5:00 PM on the 30th day after an election (December 5, 2024). See S.F. C&GC Code § 1.144(e)
How much can a candidate receive after the initial payment?
Requirements for Candidates for Board of Supervisors
As shown in the table below, after the initial payment of $60,000, candidates will receive six dollars ($6) from the Election Campaign Fund for each additional dollar of matching contributions raised, up to $32,500 raised by non-incumbents, and $32,000 raised by incumbents. The maximum amount of public funds a candidate may receive is $255,000 for non-incumbents and $252,000 for incumbents. See the table below for a summary of potential payments.
| Non-Incumbent Candidates | Incumbent Candidates | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Contributions | Matching Public Funds | Private Contributions | Matching Public Funds | |
| Initial Grant | $10,000 | $60,000 | $15,000 | $60,000 |
| 1:6 | $32,500 | $195,000 | $32,000 | $192,000 |
| Totals | $42,500 | $255,000 | $47,000 | $252,000 |
Requirements for Candidates for Mayor
As shown in the table below, after the initial payment of $300,000, candidates will receive six dollars ($6) from the Election Campaign Fund for each additional dollar of matching contributions raised, up to $150,500 raised by non-incumbents, and $150,000 raised by incumbents. The maximum amount of public funds a candidate may receive is $1,200,000 for non-incumbents and $1,185,000 for incumbents. See the table below for a summary of potential payments.
| Non-Incumbent Candidates | Incumbent Candidates | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Contributions | Matching Public Funds | Private Contributions | Matching Public Funds | |
| Initial Grant | $50,000 | $300,000 | $75,000 | $300,000 |
| 1:6 | $150,500 | $900,000 | $150,000 | $885,000 |
| Total | $200,000 | $1,200,000 | $222,500 | $1,185,000 |
See S.F. C&GC Code § 1.144(d).
Understanding Individual Expenditure Ceilings
Requirements for Candidates for Board of Supervisors
Unlike candidates for other City offices, candidates for the Board of Supervisors are not subject to the voluntary expenditure ceiling (VEC). Instead, candidates for the Board of Supervisors who participate in the public financing program are subject to an Individual Expenditure Ceiling (IEC). The IEC is a limit on the total amount of expenditures (both made and accrued) a candidate may make during their campaign. The IEC only applies to candidates for Board of Supervisors who are certified to receive public financing or have a Qualifying Request pending review.
Adjusting the Individual Expenditure Ceilings
For supervisorial candidates the IEC starts at $350,000. Adjustments to an individual candidate’s IEC will be based on the amount of supportive funds a candidate’s opponent has received, third-party spending in support of any opponents, and any third-party spending made in opposition to the candidate. IEC limits can be raised in increments of $50,000, but cannot be reduced or removed. Candidates may only exceed this amount once notified by the Commission that their IEC has been adjusted.
Candidates are always be bound by an IEC, including after the election. Because IEC limits are adjusted on an individual basis, candidates in the same race may have different IEC limits or have their IEC adjusted at different times/intervals.
Factors used to determine IEC adjustments
Ethics Commission staff will monitor and review candidate and third-party filings to determine the following for each candidate in a race:
Candidate Supportive Funds (CSF): The sum of all funds (i.e., monetary contributions, loans, in-kind contributions, and public funds) received by a candidate. This amount is capped at the candidate’s current IEC.
Third-Party Supportive Funds (TPS): Any expenditures made by any person/committee (other than a candidate) to support that candidate.
Total Supportive Funds (TSF): The sum of Candidate Supportive Funds and Third-Party Supportive Funds supporting that candidate.
Total Opposition Spending (TOS): The sum of all expenditures made any person/committee (other than a candidate) to oppose a specific candidate.
See S.F. C&GC Code § 1.143(b); SFEC Regulations § 1.143-1 & -2.
What happens if candidates exceed the IEC?
Once certified to receive public funding, a candidate may not make or incur any expenditures that would cause their total reported expenditures to exceed their current IEC amount. If, at any time during the campaign, the sum of the committee’s expenditures (both paid and accrued) exceeds the current IEC by 10 percent or more, candidates may be required to return all public funds received. Candidates may also be subject to other enforcement penalties.
See S.F. C&GC Code § 1.150(b).
Example
A Board of Supervisor district race features three candidates, Alvin, Biao, and Carla. Candidates Biao and Carla have been certified to receive public financing (“PF”), but Candidate Alvin has not (“NP”). The IEC limit for Candidates Biao and Carla is initially set at $350,000. On this day, two third-party expenditures were reported and all three candidates reported new fundraising amounts on Threshold Notices:
Candidate Alvin (NP)
Recently reported total funds received: $340,000
Candidate Biao (PF)
Recently reported total funds received: $320,000
Candidate Carla (PF)
Recently reported total funds received: $370,000
Third-Party Committees
$15,000 in spending opposing Candidate Biao
$20,000 in spending supporting Candidate Carla
No spending for/against Candidate Alvin
| Candidate Name | Initial IEC | Candidate Supportive Funds | Third-Party Supportive Funds | Total Supportive Funds (TSF) | Total Opposition Spending (TOS) | Opponent’s TSF + TOS | New IEC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate Alvin (NP) | N/A | $340,000 | $0 | $340,000 | $0 | $370,000 | N/A |
| Candidate Biao (PF) | $350,000 | $320,000 | $0 | $320,000 | $15,000 | $385,000 | $400,000 |
| Candidate Carla (PF) | $350,000 | $350,000 | $20,000 | $370,000 | $0 | $340,000 | $350,000 |
Explanation of the IEC adjustment in District 1:
Candidate Alvin has raised $340,000 and has not received any Third-Party Supportive Funds. Candidate Alvin’s Total Supportive Funds (TSF) = $340,000
Candidate Biao has raised $320,000 and has not received any Third-Party Supportive Funds. Candidate Biao’s Total Supportive Funds (TSF) = $320,000
Candidate Carla has raised $370,000 and has received $20,000 in Third-Party Supportive Funds. Even though Carla raised $370,000 in funds, only $350,000 (an amount equal to their current IEC) is counted towards their Total Supportive Funds. Candidate Carla’s Total Supportive Funds (TSF) = $370,000.
The Executive Director will adjust the IEC of the candidates as follows:
- For Candidate Alvin, there will be no adjustment.
Explanation: Candidate Alvin is not a publicly financed candidate and is not subject to an IEC. - For Candidate Biao, their IEC will be adjusted to $400,000.
Explanation: The highest Total Supportive Funds among Candidate Biao’s opponents is $370,000 (for Candidate Carla). There was also $15,000 in Total Opposition Spending against Candidate Biao. Candidate Biao’s Opponent Total Supportive Funds + Total Opposition Spending = $385,000. Because this amount exceeds Candidate Biao’s current IEC, an adjustment is required. IEC adjustments are made in increments of $50,000, and Candidate Biao’s IEC is raised to $400,000. - For Candidate Carla, there will be no adjustment.
Explanation: The highest Total Supportive Funds among Candidate Carla’s opponents is $340,000 (for Candidate Alvin). Because there has been no opposition spending against Carla, their Opponent Total Supportive Funds + Total Opposition Spending ($340,000) is less than her current IEC ($350,000).
Requirements for Candidates for Mayor
Unlike candidates for other City offices, candidates for the Office of Mayor are not subject to the voluntary expenditure ceiling (VEC). Instead, candidates for the Office of Mayor who participate in the public financing program are subject to an Individual Expenditure Ceiling (IEC). The IEC is a limit on the total amount of expenditures (both made and accrued) a candidate may make during their campaign. The IEC only applies to candidates for Office of Mayor who are certified to receive public financing or have a Qualifying Request pending review.
Adjusting the Individual Expenditure Ceilings
For mayoral candidates the IEC starts at $1,700,000. Adjustments to an individual candidate’s IEC will be based on the amount of supportive funds a candidate’s opponent has received, third-party spending in support of any opponents, and any third-party spending made in opposition to the candidate. IEC limits can be raised in increments of $250,000, but cannot be reduced or removed. Candidates may only exceed this amount once notified by the Commission that their IEC has been adjusted.
Candidates are always be bound by an IEC, including after the election. Because IEC limits are adjusted on an individual basis, candidates in the same race may have different IEC limits or have their IEC adjusted at different times/intervals.
Factors used to determine IEC adjustments
Ethics Commission staff will monitor and review candidate and third-party filings to determine the following for each candidate in a race:
Candidate Supportive Funds (CSF): The sum of all funds (i.e., monetary contributions, loans, in-kind contributions, and public funds) received by a candidate. This amount is capped at the candidate’s current IEC.
Third-Party Supportive Funds (TPS): Any expenditures made by any person/committee (other than a candidate) to support that candidate.
Total Supportive Funds (TSF): The sum of Candidate Supportive Funds and Third-Party Supportive Funds supporting that candidate.
Total Opposition Spending (TOS): The sum of all expenditures made any person/committee (other than a candidate) to oppose a specific candidate.
See S.F. C&GC Code § 1.143(b); SFEC Regulations § 1.143-1 & -2.
What happens if candidates exceed the IEC?
Once certified to receive public funding, a candidate may not make or incur any expenditures that would cause their total reported expenditures to exceed their current IEC amount. If, at any time during the campaign, the sum of the committee’s expenditures (both paid and accrued) exceeds the current IEC by 10 percent or more, candidates may be required to return all public funds received. Candidates may also be subject to other enforcement penalties.
See S.F. C&GC Code § 1.150(b).
Example
The mayoral race features three candidates, Alvin, Biao, and Carla. Candidates Biao and Carla have been certified to receive public financing (“PF”), but Candidate Alvin has not (“NP”). The IEC limit for Candidates Biao and Carla is initially set at $1,700,000. On this day, two third-party expenditures were reported and all three candidates reported new fundraising amounts on Threshold Notices:
Candidate Alvin (NP)
Recently reported total funds received: $1,560,000
Candidate Biao (PF)
Recently reported total funds received: $1,620,000
Candidate Carla (PF)
Recently reported total funds received: $1,770,000
Third-Party Committees
$35,000 in spending opposing Candidate Biao
$40,000 in spending supporting Candidate Carla
No spending for/against Candidate Alvin
| Candidate Name | Initial IEC | Candidate Supportive Funds | Third-Party Supportive Funds | Total Supportive Funds (TSF) | Total Opposition Spending (TOS) | Opponent’s TSF + TOS | New IEC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate Alvin (NP) | N/A | $1,560,000 | $0 | $1,560,000 | $0 | $1,740,000 | N/A |
| Candidate Biao (PF) | $1,700,000 | $1,620,000 | $0 | $1,620,000 | $35,000 | $1,775,000 | $1,950,000 |
| Candidate Carla (PF) | $1,700,000 | $1,700,000 | $40,000 | $1,740,000 | $0 | $1,620,000 | $1,700,000 |
Explanation of the IEC adjustment in race:
Candidate Alvin has raised $1,560,000 and has not received any Third-Party Supportive Funds. Candidate Alvin’s Total Supportive Funds (TSF) = $1,560,000
Candidate Biao has raised $1,620,000 and has not received any Third-Party Supportive Funds. Candidate Biao’s Total Supportive Funds (TSF) = $1,620,000
Candidate Carla has raised $1,770,000 and has received $40,000 in Third-Party Supportive Funds. Even though Carla raised $1,770,000 in funds, only $1,700,000 (an amount equal to their current IEC) is counted towards their Total Supportive Funds. Candidate Carla’s Total Supportive Funds (TSF) = $1,740,000.
The Executive Director will adjust the IEC of the candidates as follows:
- For Candidate Alvin, there will be no adjustment.
Explanation: Candidate Alvin is not a publicly financed candidate and is not subject to an IEC. - For Candidate Biao, their IEC will be adjusted to $1,950,000.
Explanation: The highest Total Supportive Funds among Candidate Biao’s opponents is $1,740,000 (for Candidate Carla). There was also $35,000 in Total Opposition Spending against Candidate Biao. Candidate Biao’s Opponent Total Supportive Funds + Total Opposition Spending = $1,775,000. Because this amount exceeds Candidate Biao’s current IEC, an adjustment is required. IEC adjustments are made in increments of $250,000, and Candidate Biao’s IEC is raised to $1,950,000. - For Candidate Carla, there will be no adjustment.
Explanation: The highest Total Supportive Funds among Candidate Carla’s opponents is $1,620,000 (for Candidate Alvin). Because there has been no opposition spending against Carla, their Opponent Total Supportive Funds + Total Opposition Spending ($1,620,000) is less than her current IEC ($1,700,000).
See SFEC Regulations § 1.143-2 for additional examples of IEC adjustments.