Clean Elections Act

The "Clean Elections Act" amends the Federal Election Campaign Act to create a new public financing system for federal elections, known as the Democracy Dollars Program . This program empowers eligible individuals, defined as U.S. citizens or nationals aged 18 or older, by providing them with vouchers called "democracy dollars." These vouchers can then be directed to the federal candidates of their choice, aiming to broaden participation in campaign finance and reduce reliance on large donors. Voters can request these vouchers, initially valued at $100 for Congressional, Senate, and Presidential races, for primary and general elections. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) will distribute these vouchers and may implement a pilot program for mailed distribution. The voucher amounts are subject to future adjustments based on the spending of non-participating candidates and inflation. To qualify for and receive these public funds, candidates must be certified by the FEC. Certification requires candidates to meet a threshold amount of initial support, ranging from $50,000 for House races to $1 million for presidential campaigns. Additionally, participating candidates must establish a dedicated democracy dollar account and adhere to strict campaign finance rules. These rules include accepting only "qualified contributions" from individuals, with the maximum allowable contribution decreasing over time from $1,000 to $200 per election cycle by 2037. Candidates are also limited to spending no more than $2,500 of their personal funds per election series. The FEC is responsible for administering the program, conducting random audits, reviewing and adjusting voucher amounts, and promoting public awareness to encourage voter registration and participation. Funds from democracy dollars can be used for authorized campaign expenditures, but personal use or payments to family members are strictly prohibited. Any unspent funds must be returned to the Commission after an election. The bill also repeals the existing Presidential Election Campaign Fund, transferring its remaining balance to the Treasury, and takes effect for federal elections occurring after December 31, 2028.