The Impact of Minnesota's Political Contribution Refund Program on Small-Donor Behavior in State House Races

In: State and local government review: a journal of research and viewpoints on state and local government issues, Band 33, Heft 1, S. 32-41

Abstract

MN's Political Contribution Refund Program (PCRP) is one of the most innovative campaign finance reforms adopted by the states. This program refunds 100% of individual contributions up to 50 dollars to state candidates & political party organizations that agree to accept spending limits. MN's Democrat Farmer Labor Party hoped that the PCRP would broaden public participation in state elections by encouraging people to make modest contributions to the party or candidate of their choice. The authors find that Republican candidates of all types have become more reliant on small, individual contributions since the advent of the PCRP. The same is true of competitive candidates from both political parties. 2 Tables, 9 References. Adapted from the source document.