1. Albuquerque, New Mexico, Open and Ethical Elections Code Madison Wisconsin Blue Ribbon Committee on Clean Elections April 16, 2009

2. Randy M. Autio, Interim City Clerk, One Civic Plaza P.O. Box 1293 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103 (505)-768-3030 rautio@cabq.gov

3. Albuquerque Population: 500,000 with 328,000 registered voters. Charter municipality. Strong Mayor, nine member, districted City Council. Nonpartisan elections, with a runoff election if no candidate receives 40% of vote.

4. Albuquerque Elections Mayor and Councilors elected to four year terms. To be placed on the ballot, candidate must obtain petition signatures from two percent of registered voters (6,500 for Mayor in the October 6, 2009 election). Contribution limits of 5% of salary of office per contributor. Expenditure limits held unconstitutional. Campaign disclosure requirements and ban on business and City contractor contributions. Measure Finance Committees regulated but with no contribution limits.

5. Albuquerque Public Financing: Voluntary program with option of candidate to participate as a publicly funded or privately funded candidate. Adopted as Charter amendment in October 2005. Used for the first time for Council elections in 2007, currently being used in 2009 Mayoral race for first time.

6. Albuquerque Public Financing: Qualifying Candidates may qualify to receive public financing by raising $5.00 contributions from 1% of the registered voters. Contributions are to City Open and Ethical Elections Fund, gathered by candidates and turned over to City Clerk. 2009 election required 3,287 contributions per mayoral candidate to qualify.

7. Albuquerque Public Financing: Revenue Source Each fiscal year one-tenth of 1% of the general fund budget is deposited into the Open and Ethical Elections Fund. That is the primary source of funding. Five Dollar contributions go into the fund. Unspent funds after an election are returned. Donations are accepted. Council may appropriate additional funds.

8. Albuquerque Public Financing: Distribution The funds are distributed to each qualifying candidate, so long as there is money in the fund. Each candidate receives $1.00 per registered voter in their district, or for the Mayor, City wide. Matching funds will given to the candidate up to twice the original distribution. Matching funds due if a private candidate or MFC spends more than distribution to participating candidates.

9. Albuquerque Public Financing: Calendar For October 6, 2009 Election, “Exploratory” period for Mayor race began January 1, 2009. Qualifying period, to collect $5.00 contributions was February 17 to March 31. Qualified candidates received distribution on April 3, 2009. Candidates petitions are not due until April 28, and they “declare”for office and are placed on ballot on August 13, 2009. Councilor timeline is later than mayor timeline.