119 S5351 IS: Clean Elections Act
U.S. Senate
2026-08-06
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
1.This Act may be cited as the Clean Elections Act
.2.Establishment of Democracy Dollars Program(a)The Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:<enum>V</enum><header>Democracy dollars program</header><toc><toc-entry idref="idE3ADB4ECEA8B4E8E83A1A0843940E9D7" level="section">Sec. 501. Definitions.</toc-entry><toc-entry bold="off" level="section">Sec. 502. Distribution of democracy dollars to eligible individuals.</toc-entry><toc-entry idref="id51238BD006E64038845D5F3EC4F12085" level="section">Sec. 503. Requirements for participating candidates.</toc-entry><toc-entry idref="id3847F2B57AA74E74ACC04F3D207DD982" level="section">Sec. 504. Use of democracy dollars.</toc-entry><toc-entry idref="id21844046F3834A47AAE478985E59EFC9" level="section">Sec. 505. Administration.</toc-entry><toc-entry idref="idE8DA6C26605847E1BFA96191B3634291" level="section">Sec. 506. Funding.</toc-entry></toc><section id="idE3ADB4ECEA8B4E8E83A1A0843940E9D7"><enum>501.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">For purposes of this title:</text><paragraph commented="no" id="id98E8F85E32784248A597D2E64CE34234"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Applicable election series</header><text>The term <term>applicable election series</term> means, with respect to any Federal office, any of the following elections for such office during an election cycle:</text><subparagraph commented="no" id="idC7BCC0572E554A0D84F041D0C4FB4C7F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>A primary election (including a primary election held for the selection of delegates to a national nominating convention of a political party and a primary held for the expression of a preference for the nomination of an individual for election to the office of President) for nomination to Federal office.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id358C647C440C438CBBCD67497FC8FDAC"><enum>(B)</enum><text>A convention or caucus of a political party that has authority to nominate a candidate to Federal office.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id736ADD1427E54354A10B0561F54C2164"><enum>(C)</enum><text>A general election, a special election, or a runoff election for Federal office.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id8F863D24511C48AE8A24395FB41246DC"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Democracy dollars</header><subparagraph commented="no" id="idCF8C7B9374B9492BBF39419B0713E5BB"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The term <term>democracy dollars</term> means a voucher (having such form as determined by the Commission) that is a Congressional democracy dollar, a Senate democracy dollar, or a Presidential democracy dollar.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id5D5824AD0B6245F98FC7A2F5A4BBEBB0"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Congressional democracy dollar</header><text>A Congressional democracy dollar is a democracy dollar that is restricted such that—</text><clause commented="no" id="id8F9090C7EC2F46639EA8B016A0EF5884"><enum>(i)</enum><text>it may only be transferred to a qualified candidate for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress; and</text></clause><clause commented="no" id="id797E0E6EDD374496A4E11DBB84CF5F68"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in the case of any election cycle beginning in 2030 or later, may only be transferred to a qualified candidate for such office for a district in the State in which the eligible individual to whom it is distributed is a qualified resident.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id3A962BFBF19448D18B361CA8841193CD"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Senate democracy dollar</header><text>A Senate democracy dollar is a democracy dollar that is restricted such that—</text><clause commented="no" id="id62666A7C39434F0B97F5C1005BEEEF29"><enum>(i)</enum><text>it may only be transferred to a qualified candidate for the office of Senator; and</text></clause><clause commented="no" id="id68A122EDA0E047FF8A4F8468BF3F59C1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in the case of any election cycle beginning in 2030 or later, may only be transferred to a qualified candidate for such office for the State in which the eligible individual to whom it is distributed is a qualified resident.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id4D4A4E118F154DB1B62FF73531531A2D"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Presidential democracy dollar</header><text>A Presidential democracy dollar is a democracy dollar that is restricted such that it may only be transferred to qualified candidates for the offices of President or Vice President.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id8766753225C7467799B16E666A3BDC34"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Democracy dollar account</header><text>The term <term>democracy dollar account</term> means an account of a participating candidate that consists only of amounts paid under section 504(a)(3) and that meets such other requirements as established by the Commission.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="idEFE6671E737644F08D4051C202261016"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Election cycle</header><text>The term <term>election cycle</term> means the 2-year period beginning on January 1 of each odd-numbered year.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="idACB84BA5554447428BCA10E03E1319BB"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Eligible individual</header><text>The term <term>eligible individual</term> means, with respect to any election cycle, an individual who—</text><subparagraph commented="no" id="id40F2BC8AD9B545C5BE4839E2CDE259C6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>is a citizen or national of the United States; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id5E75BB7361A44C5DB8C3129D7F134534"><enum>(B)</enum><text>has attained the age of 18.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id052C2FD9213C4E20B44157288EAAD66C"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Participating candidate</header><text>The term <term>participating candidate</term> means a candidate who is certified by the Commission under section 503.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id298D89C772FE4B87A04CCD41ECEC5BE4"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Qualified resident</header><subparagraph commented="no" id="idA66B1B98C5854A818E528F592115E279"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term <term>qualified resident</term> means, with respect to any State, an eligible individual whose primary residence is located in such State.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="idB50878BFD54E48EDB3861A188B1BB9D8"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Exceptions</header><clause commented="no" id="id880F379B41B1451E80F347A0EA52A5A8"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Students</header><text>Any eligible individual who is a full-time student attending a post-secondary educational institution may elect to treat the State in which such institution is located as the State in which such individual is a qualified resident.</text></clause><clause commented="no" id="idFC4884252D924133A229695201F4FA6F"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Individuals living abroad</header><text>Any eligible individual whose primary residence is outside the United States shall be treated as a qualified resident of—</text><subclause commented="no" id="idD2E9A506279E4D939583067922FC4104"><enum>(I)</enum><text>in the case of an eligible individual who is qualified to vote in a State, the State in which the individual is qualified to vote; or</text></subclause><subclause commented="no" id="id6B832819522742749C4AF82F128D5926"><enum>(II)</enum><text>in the case of any other eligible individual, the last State in which such individual was domiciled before leaving the United States.</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></section><section commented="no" id="id0E031CB7F6A54E9091BD089F0D1D04EA"><enum>502.</enum><header>Distribution of democracy dollars to eligible individuals</header><subsection id="idD8F8395AB2424E56B76DD1B90CEEC718"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Process and methods for distribution</header><paragraph id="id414A48B895284C9EBF4F7CD684650FD1"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Upon request of an eligible individual who is a qualified resident of a State in which an election for Federal office (other than a runoff election) is held and who is registered to vote in such election (in States where registration is required as a condition of voting), the Commission shall provide to such individual democracy dollars that may be used only in such election in the amount determined under subsection (b).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id6CE2E7C086C3456A9CBC902814FFD2D6"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Limitations</header><subparagraph id="idE3EA4F6D925D48FEB2DD59ACCCBF3689"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Time for making request</header><text>Any request under subsection (a) shall be made—</text><clause id="idED8F3551E176473DAF9BEE5D78ECBCA3"><enum>(i)</enum><text>no earlier than the first day of the election cycle in which the election occurs; and</text></clause><clause id="idE779D9AF971E40799CE2CC8A906F43FE"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>no later than 10 days before the date of the election to which it relates.</text></clause><continuation-text continuation-text-level="subparagraph">In the case of elections to nominate a candidate for election to a Federal office which do not occur on the same day, clause (ii) shall be applied by using the date of the last such election occurring in the State.</continuation-text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idDAC6847B6B304DE29DA7B33E1EA23DDB"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Limitation on distributions</header><text>Except in the case of a special election, the Commission shall not provide democracy dollars to any individual for more than one primary election and one general election for each of the following offices:</text><clause id="id0218841B480746589FA196C19DD1DA0A"><enum>(i)</enum><text>The office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress.</text></clause><clause id="id18C2DF13575B46AE891D288196592E71"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>The office of Senator.</text></clause><clause id="id9C78487A46B245A69E0FE0A7B52E64C2"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>The office of President and Vice President.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id0B7006755BB3404EB5E8E2CFEC711AAF"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Methods</header><subparagraph id="idDE6E2E4F3729456AB6763765FD102209"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in subparagraph (B), democracy dollars shall be distributed in such manner as the Commission determines appropriate.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id209C81871FBC41A9B91FF6A48A2098AD"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Pilot program for mailed democracy dollars</header><text>The Commission shall conduct a pilot program for the distribution of democracy dollars through the mail. If the Commission determines that such program is a cost effective way to expand participation and attract a more diverse group of participants, the Commission shall expand such program for future elections.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id66C4730906034DA1BE43891134DE93B1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Determination of type and amount of democracy dollars provided</header><paragraph id="id6D523AD3D9BE4044BF4065C191948716"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The amount determined under this section is—</text><subparagraph id="id5D09B6A951E347819780D65F37A710BC"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in the case of any election (other than a runoff election) for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress, the Congressional amount;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idA170C65B7B884A17A7A2EDD2C034336E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in the case of any election (other than a runoff election) for nomination to the office of Senator, the Senate amount; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8C95720AE2B64911835208435C3EF3E1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>in the case of any election for nomination to the office of, or the office of, President or Vice President, the Presidential amount.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idDBB79238E49942DEA184A21E709F71D8"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Amounts</header><text>For purposes of this title:</text><subparagraph id="id822508C09A214D818C31F5DB531C45C1"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Congressional amount</header><clause id="idE67A7A8489B047F18B878343407BEFC4"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Congressional amount is an amount equal to $100.</text></clause><clause id="id47C6C713309D4CDA836391E7431B3EA6"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Increase</header><text>In the case of any election cycle beginning after 2030, the amount determined under clause (i) for any election cycle shall be the sum of the dollar amount in effect under such clause for the preceding election cycle increased by the product of—</text><subclause id="id60CA599947054C6FB763E0E792276583"><enum>(I)</enum><text>75 percent (or the percentage specified pursuant to section 505(c) for such election cycle) of the percentage (if any) by which—</text><item id="id8B0987B01B83463687F0D585F40975AA"> <enum>(aa)</enum> <text>the average of the total amount of contributions received during the preceding election cycle by each candidate for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress who is not a participating candidate; exceeds</text>
</item><item id="idDA836BDEF0EE4FF7A2507464196FFE98"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>the average of the total amount of contributions received during the preceding election cycle by each participating candidate for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress; and</text></item></subclause><subclause id="id27EA974259834DAF88EEF324E523CF7D"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the dollar amount in effect under clause (i) for the preceding election cycle.</text></subclause></clause><clause id="id31BF52A186804A3584AFF21450AA5FA1"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Inflation adjustment</header><text>In the case of any election cycle beginning after 2030 for which there is no increase under clause (ii), the Congressional amount in effect for such election cycle shall be the sum of—</text><subclause id="id6433C46A0E384CF8BC38767F40A5968F"> <enum>(I)</enum> <text>the greater of the dollar amount specified in clause (i) or the dollar amount the amount in effect for the most recent election cycle for which there was such an increase; plus</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id1EFB6C32C4E2477B97B682B39954A572"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the percent increase determined under section 315(c), determined as if the base period were—</text><item id="idF34918FCB50C4060A30E04CD468E3E00"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>if there was no prior increase in such dollar amount pursuant to clause (ii), 2029; or</text></item><item id="id08EF96130DDB4ABBA46DB6B96EE17892"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>in any other case, the calendar year immediately preceding the first calendar year in the election cycle for which the most recent such prior increase occurred.</text></item></subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3AAD7369976D4CE59A403A2C88E77EA6"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Senate amount</header><clause id="id08FDC9EEA0B44B24BA0A0BA0785D7391"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Senate amount is an amount equal to $100.</text></clause><clause id="id27CA351B40274F4B98A7AD925D1B7761"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Increase</header><text>In the case of any election cycle beginning after 2030, the amount determined under clause (i) for any election cycle shall be the sum of the dollar amount in effect under such clause for the preceding election cycle increased by the product of—</text><subclause id="id52E869E64D18418C9DEE61AEDD530C1B"><enum>(I)</enum><text>75 percent (or the percentage specified pursuant to section 505(c) for such election cycle) of the percentage (if any) by which—</text><item id="id7A32AAEB9C694D9091AEE902114E5AAB"> <enum>(aa)</enum> <text>the average of the total amount of contributions received during the preceding election cycle by each candidate for the office of Senator who is not a participating candidate; exceeds</text>
</item><item id="id30729870004744779B31503EFE8AF486"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>the average of the total amount of contributions received during the preceding election cycle by each participating candidate for the office of Senator; and</text></item></subclause><subclause id="id93C586CCE7B444B6842E0B75A133C7DC"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the dollar amount in effect under clause (i) for the preceding election cycle.</text></subclause></clause><clause id="id8CF10391842744A7866C9BAD895A540B"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Inflation adjustment</header><text>In the case of any election cycle beginning after 2030 for which there is no increase under clause (ii), the Senate amount in effect for such election cycle shall be the sum of—</text><subclause id="idFCB01E67AE4E482D872DAA7D3BC9EB82"> <enum>(I)</enum> <text>the greater of the dollar amount specified in clause (i) or the dollar amount in effect for the most recent election cycle for which there was such an increase; plus</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id0A32B5BF30524009B1BF7420AD3090A5"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the percent increase determined under section 315(c), determined as if the base period were—</text><item id="id5F93ECE416B14E7281C2E54A793F57F9"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>if there was no prior increase in such dollar amount pursuant to clause (ii), 2029; or</text></item><item id="id9EB76E49EF2A452980F085B3282A2309"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>in any other case, the calendar year immediately preceding the first calendar year in the election cycle for which the most recent such prior increase occurred.</text></item></subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idD99B6C1F085C415BB363544B52AD2592"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Presidential amount</header><clause id="id14D10250238C46AE980C5A063F3AEEFC"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Presidential amount is an amount equal to $100.</text></clause><clause id="id36C7D1BFFFE84158B72FB614417D153C"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Increase</header><text>The amount determined under clause (i) for any election cycle following the election cycle beginning on January 1, 2029, in which there is an election for the office of President shall be the sum of the dollar amount in effect under such clause for the preceding election cycle increased by the product of—</text><subclause id="idF2854992F4F945309786CF5527EE8C3B"><enum>(I)</enum><text>75 percent (or the percentage specified pursuant to section 505(c) for such election cycle) of the percentage (if any) by which—</text><item id="id38064552E54F45FA945D5150ACCE0C81"> <enum>(aa)</enum> <text>the average of the total amount of contributions received during the preceding election cycle in which there was an election for the office of President by each candidate for such office who is not a participating candidate; exceeds</text>
</item><item id="id41A8605FE0BE49FCAEA42BEB5A620F73"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>the average of the total amount of contributions received during such preceding election cycle by each participating candidate for the office of President; and</text></item></subclause><subclause id="id97F22D73464E4548A96828AB514C5823"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the dollar amount in effect under clause (i) for the preceding election cycle.</text></subclause></clause><clause id="idA81B1C8B48284771B4A2BC21AD6F7F87"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Inflation adjustment</header><text>In the case of any election cycle beginning after 2030 for which there is no increase under clause (ii), the Presidential amount in effect for such election cycle shall be the sum of—</text><subclause id="id614DFAEA1AE7422F91CD386C231FFA18"> <enum>(I)</enum> <text>the greater of the dollar amount specified in clause (i) or the dollar amount in effect for the most recent election cycle for which there was such an increase; plus</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id1048DC496A2D420594577A8831CC2B9B"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the percent increase determined under section 315(c), determined as if the base period were—</text><item id="idC4C9518E1AA04BF38E34D5531EFC8A2E"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>if there was no prior increase in such dollar amount pursuant to clause (ii), 2029; or</text></item><item id="id67D063B13F87419E96A98D4FB6299B47"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>in any other case, the calendar year immediately preceding the first calendar year in the election cycle for which the most recent such prior increase occurred.</text></item></subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idB82AD1C9752E4B03AD5CE5C02BA56E06"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Determination of eligible individuals</header><paragraph id="id9D1B04DD02704EA4A88FD8B594AA2018"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><subparagraph id="idE60D468FB3D743BA8779E31F6111FC4F"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Acquisition of information</header><text>The Commission shall obtain such information from Federal agencies and from State and local governments as is necessary to identify eligible individuals, determine the State in which the eligible individual is a qualified resident, determine whether the eligible individual is registered to vote (in the case where the eligible individual is a qualified resident of a State where registration is required as a condition of voting), and deliver democracy dollars to such eligible individuals.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8C11748F5EDB4571B4C9970FD944C591"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Confidentiality</header><text>The Commission shall treat any information obtained under subparagraph (A) as confidential and shall take such action as necessary to protect the privacy of such information.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id5770B2C93F8F4FA9B4AB12966CFC759C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>No individual shall be treated as a qualified resident of more than 1 State.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id51238BD006E64038845D5F3EC4F12085"><enum>503.</enum><header>Requirements for participating candidates</header><subsection id="id030C959BC7454D3CA85200EBBC9A2382"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Commission shall certify a candidate as a participating candidate if such candidate—</text><paragraph id="id070371A0380A4A6C9289D4BC24B30885"><enum>(1)</enum><text>receives qualified contributions and transfers of democracy dollars with an aggregate value of not less than the threshold amount;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id9D019855E3D141E49857E4B7BB2809BD"><enum>(2)</enum><text>establishes a democracy dollar account;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id8F535DAE6A1F494FAACFC2625CB9A895"><enum>(3)</enum><text>certifies that the candidate has complied, and, if such candidate is certified as a participating candidate under this section, will comply, with the contribution requirements under subsection (c) with respect to all elections in the applicable election series for the Federal office that the candidate is seeking; and</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="idA0768C2854F541B3949FBA7649B2D97E"><enum>(4)</enum><text>certifies that the candidate has complied, and, if such candidate is certified as a participating candidate under this section, will comply, with the personal fund requirements under subsection (d) with respect to all elections in the applicable election series for the Federal office that the candidate is seeking.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id8A3652B5773D4ED7AEAB0A5A118A3BF2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Establishment of threshold amount</header><paragraph id="id13CAC751367E47D1B70E7A939CA9EEFD"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Threshold amount</header><subparagraph id="idF898547A70B44DDF9BCAB39A63F706AA"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>For purposes of subsection (a), the threshold amount with respect to any election cycle is—</text><clause id="idF3DCCB28358B40249E754449A7718512"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in the case of a candidate for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress, $50,000;</text></clause><clause id="id38B3FDDAD05E4363A5EEF472B2AC26D6"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in the case of a candidate for the office of Senator, $500,000; and</text></clause><clause id="idBED15E0F5AB24E22ADBB41BFE665E9E6"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>in the case of a candidate of the office of President or Vice President, $1,000,000.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8F191C0A7C6C42ACAABA13A36C06BD7B"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Inflation adjustment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In any calendar year after 2030, section 315(c)(1)(B) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/30116">52 U.S.C. 30116(c)(1)(B)</external-xref>) shall apply to each amount described in subparagraph (A) in the same manner as such section applies to the limitations established under subsections (a)(1)(A), (a)(1)(B), (a)(3), and (h) of such section, except that for purposes of applying such section to the amounts described in subparagraph (A), the <quote>base period</quote> shall be calendar year 2029.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id0E99CDADD0684C269E7BAA90AEDEA0A6"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Return of vouchers</header><subparagraph commented="no" id="id257ED107C35B4B7BA43AFF911A340261"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>In any case of any transfer of democracy dollars to a candidate who is not certified under this section before the date that is 30 days before the date of the applicable election, such transfer shall be voided and the eligible individual who transferred such democracy dollars shall be permitted to transfer such democracy dollars (or replacement democracy dollars with equivalent value) to another participating candidate.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="idD5B6D559BE304D8290437699627724F2"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Applicable election</header><text>For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term <term>applicable election</term> means, with respect to any candidate, the earliest of—</text><clause commented="no" id="idA8161ACB8D0E48B5BBD1E848C63F300A"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the primary election for nomination to the office for which the candidate is running;</text></clause><clause commented="no" id="id943991BD5A594E3BAA9EB05DFC347DDE"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a convention or caucus of a political party that has authority to nominate a candidate for such office; or</text></clause><clause commented="no" id="idBC6625CF748645519489E2713A79416A"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the election for Federal office.</text></clause><continuation-text continuation-text-level="subparagraph">In the case of a candidate for the office of President, such term means the first primary election or caucus held for the selection of delegates to a national nominating convention of a political party.</continuation-text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="id6A1E19293EB94AA9B0A9EF799BAC4473"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Contribution requirements</header><paragraph commented="no" id="id8278AE4655144D69912A715B515EBFDA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>A candidate meets the contribution requirement of this subsection if the candidate does not accept any contribution other than qualified contributions.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="idEA28D0806BC94278A71D3A649F8F51AB"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Qualified contribution</header><text>For purposes of this subsection:</text><subparagraph commented="no" id="idAA30183C3D2C41A7AADAA57F340B48B4"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The term <term>qualified contribution</term> means any contribution from an individual so long as the aggregate amount of contributions received by such candidate from such individual during the election cycle do not exceed the applicable amount.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id3D0237A776264C93B29018FFDB8F3481"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Applicable amount</header><clause commented="no" id="idC69383DC4C7A4FD6A20D296FC48116B3"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>For purposes of subparagraph (A), the applicable amount is—</text><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id543DDA1946CD4302A2F33E590F9BF6AD"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the case of the election cycle beginning in 2029, $1,000;</text></subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3DC868B6509E42E489B7FFF349FF2DD2"><enum>(II)</enum><text>in the case of the election cycle beginning in 2031, $800;</text></subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id204C88EC82794D2A9FD19C1815F276CF"><enum>(III)</enum><text>in the case of the election cycle beginning in 2033, $600;</text></subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5CCE5D2C8A0B46E7AAFE00520228F825"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>in the case of the election cycle beginning in 2035, $400; and</text></subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id30AE1BCF9AE44C2CB662A966445253AD"><enum>(V)</enum><text>in the case of any election cycle beginning in 2037 or later, $200.</text></subclause></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4092C5B1A7414986A453ED01671D138D"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Indexing</header><text>In any calendar year after 2038, section 315(c)(1)(B) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/30116">52 U.S.C. 30116(c)(1)(B)</external-xref>) shall apply to the $200 amount described in clause (i)(V) in the same manner as such section applies to the limitations established under subsections (a)(1)(A), (a)(1)(B), (a)(3), and (h) of such section, except that for purposes of applying such section to the $200 amount described in clause (i)(V), the <quote>base period</quote> shall be calendar year 2037.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD507C7B9BDC043AF810F28057DB47938"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Special rule for runoff elections</header><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id04E9DDDE5E644B09953977660A2D1044"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>In the case of a runoff election, the amount in effect under subparagraph (B) shall be increased by $200.</text></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id441D52C230384E0092C19C3A8E55106E"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Indexing</header><text>In any calendar year after 2030, section 315(c)(1)(B) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/30116">52 U.S.C. 30116(c)(1)(B)</external-xref>) shall apply to the $200 amount described in clause (i) in the same manner as such section applies to the limitations established under subsections (a)(1)(A), (a)(1)(B), (a)(3), and (h) of such section, except that for purposes of applying such section to the $200 amount described in clause (i), the <quote>base period</quote> shall be calendar year 2029.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="idDB7100C150274A638A2C7877AACE788F"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Personal funds requirement</header><text>A candidate meets the personal funds requirement of this subsection if the candidate does not spend personal funds (including personal funds of the candidate or any immediate family member of the candidate) in an amount in excess of $2,500 for any election in the applicable election series.</text></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="idB624557ED750480680D55D0B93E008D3"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Revocation; Prohibition on participation</header><text>Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Commission may—</text><paragraph commented="no" id="id5561F493931941AC9BEF21AAD72B1004"><enum>(1)</enum><text>revoke a certification awarded under this section for any candidate who has violated the rules of this title; or</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id4BACAED2FA35400EAE4AA4F375036DC3"><enum>(2)</enum><text>refuse to certify any candidate under this section if such candidate has violated the rules of this title in any preceding election for Federal office in which such candidate was a participating candidate.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id3847F2B57AA74E74ACC04F3D207DD982"><enum>504.</enum><header>Use of democracy dollars</header><subsection id="id42C3599BF62D4BD5A1E2A597E89CD94C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><paragraph commented="no" id="idDA7F21318489415F83F939D5BBF4E96D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Transfer of democracy dollars to participating candidates</header><text>An eligible individual may transfer democracy dollars to participating candidates in increments that are multiples of $10. In any case in which an individual transfers an amount that is not a multiple of $10, such amount shall be treated as a transfer in amount equal to the next lowest multiple of $10.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id359197B45575458D95ED1EE1DDEACD27"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Amounts treated as contributions</header><text>The amount of any democracy dollars transferred by an eligible individual to a participating candidate shall be treated as a contribution by such eligible individual to the principal campaign committee of the participating candidate for purposes of this Act, including section 304 (relating to reports by political committees) and 315 (relating to limitations on contributions).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idE318B8F053754159838A38BCF963C4FC"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Amounts transferred into democracy dollars account</header><subparagraph id="id3CAAA2E1D8AE46F0B8FB97BF556C97C4"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in section 506(b), not later than 5 business days after receiving notice of a transfer of democracy dollars to a candidate, the Commission shall pay into the democracy dollar account of a participating candidate an amount equal to the value of the democracy dollars so transferred to such candidate.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id16D839772C534F93B96DF65862C9ED4E"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Minimum amounts</header><text>Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the Commission under regulations may require a minimum value threshold of democracy dollars transferred to a particular candidate before making a payment under subparagraph (A).</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idD953769DC61E4CF9B7F31DA30476FF59"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Use of amounts in accounts</header><paragraph id="id4BD1CDCB593642F9AF1E9E40F7262F10"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Permissible uses</header><text>Amounts in a democracy dollars account may be used—</text><subparagraph id="idE2773C732E8F4C0FB539AC132E713639"><enum>(A)</enum><text>for otherwise authorized expenditures in connection with the campaign for Federal office of the candidate; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idA8543251BE504E0EB4F49FBFAB90ED13"><enum>(B)</enum><text>as provided in subsection (c) (relating to return of funds).</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id790D94398FFA459C8984DCD7533089DA"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Prohibited uses</header><text>Amounts in a democracy dollars account shall not—</text><subparagraph id="id8E601AA7234B4CCDB4373CCDE6B4C0FB"><enum>(A)</enum><text>be converted by any person to personal use (within the meaning of section 313(b));</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3E4C1CF128BE45898E5AAB499B35B4CE"><enum>(B)</enum><text>be used to reimburse any eligible individual for the transfer of democracy dollars; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id45743E9E572F40C1A1B996C0A51ACB58"><enum>(C)</enum><text>be used to make any payment to any member of the family of the candidate (including for any expenditure described in paragraph (1)(A)).</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id9390871DE7224BFB8C90E89448008142"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Return of funds</header><text>Not later than the date that is 10 business days after the earliest of the date on which the participating candidate—</text><paragraph id="id837B399D75134504A185EED2AFD0A71A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>withdraws from an election in the applicable election series;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idA922B51EE3E44E09A0B53587270B323F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>no longer qualifies to be on the ballot for any election in the applicable election series; or</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idEA3CE026AB6447EA81FCE07422C19728"><enum>(3)</enum><text>loses an election in the applicable election series;</text></paragraph><continuation-text continuation-text-level="subsection">the participating candidate shall remit to the Commission any amounts in the democracy dollars account of such candidate that remain unexpended as of such date.</continuation-text></subsection></section><section id="id21844046F3834A47AAE478985E59EFC9"><enum>505.</enum><header>Administration</header><subsection id="idDF73FFE017DE469290E6BEB4CB302564"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Commission shall by regulations establish rules for the administration of this title.</text></subsection><subsection id="id037246F5C6B1483EA63B416636033A43"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Audits</header><text>The Commission shall—</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idF28F52C934F343FA835F342FE1C6C248"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">conduct random audits of participating candidates under this title; and</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id07053F615C3F431297756C6CC05D246D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>establish rules for the conduct of such audits, including rules relating to appropriate sample sizes for such audits.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idCA97DF782696479A946ABB4E01F10668"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Review and adjustment of certain amounts</header><paragraph id="id9057FEECE7B341C68BAA15DB0A93D0C6"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Review</header><subparagraph id="idC5B312D652E14C0E85AD96ABAD3B631B"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>After each general election for Federal office, the Commission shall conduct a review of the dollar amount for the Congressional amount, the Senate amount, and the Presidential amount under section 502(b).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id7A934924DE8844508D820137B44012E2"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Criteria</header><text>In conducting such review, the Commission shall consider whether the amounts are sufficient to allow participating candidates to run robust campaigns and to compete with candidates that are not participating candidates.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id2BCC0E2A559C4286AED256A0DB95DC5A"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Adjustment</header><text>Based on the review conducted under paragraph (1), the Commission may increase the 75 percent amount under subparagraphs (A)(ii), (B)(ii), and (C)(ii) of section 502(b)(2), except that such amount may not be adjusted to an amount in excess of 200 percent.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id7E00F97829244FB499CBE6280BDD3BD7"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Public outreach</header><text>The Commission shall establish an information program to make eligible individuals aware of the availability of democracy dollars under this title. Such program shall include the targeting of communities and individuals who have not previously made contributions to candidates and shall encourage voter registration.</text></subsection></section><section id="idE8DA6C26605847E1BFA96191B3634291"><enum>506.</enum><header>Funding</header><subsection id="id6219032E442949028EB439764823DE91"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><paragraph id="id4CD6A79D14704089ADBEF2675B9B3D68"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There are hereby appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out the purposes of this title.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id28DF72F94C8F44769FC10B99028A08C8"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Availability</header><text>Any amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) shall remain available without fiscal year limitation until expended.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id4971CCC6AF1942C783CD51630B1755EB"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Treatment of transfers in excess of appropriations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In any case in which the aggregate amount of democracy dollars transferred to participating candidates exceeds the amount appropriated under subsection (a), the Commission shall make payments under section 504(a)(3) in full based on the order in time in which the Commission was notified of the transfer.</text></subsection></section>.(b)Reporting of democracy dollar contributions(1)Section 304(b)(3) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30104(b)(3)(A)) is amended—(A)by inserting (i)
after (A)
; and(B)in subparagraph (A)—(i)in clause (i), as added by subparagraph (A), by inserting and
after the semicolon; and(ii)by adding at the end the following: (ii) individual who makes a contribution of democracy dollars (as defined in section 501) during the reporting period, except that in order to protect the privacy of such individual, any identity information other than the ZIP Code, city, and occupation of such individual shall be provided on a separate list which shall not be made available to the public;
.(2)Section 311(a)(4) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30111(a)(4)) is amended by striking the last sentence and inserting The Commission shall exclude from the public record any list provided under the preceding sentence or under section 304(b)(3)(A)(ii).
.(c)Repeal of presidential financing system(1)The Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking subtitle H.(2)Repeal of income tax designationsSubchapter A of chapter 61 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking part VIII.(3)Transfer of remaining amountsAmounts remaining in the Presidential Election Campaign Fund on the date described in subsection (d) shall be transferred to the general fund of the Treasury.(4)(A)The table of subtitles for the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking the item relating to subtitle H.(B)The table of parts for subchapter A of chapter 61 of such Code is amended by striking the item relating to part VIII.(d)The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to elections for Federal office occurring after December 31, 2028.