This post in the Brennan Center for Justice is by Ian Vandewalker. Here is an excerpt:

The results are in: A handful of megadonors dominated the fundraising for New York’s 2022 candidates for state offices. A new analysis of the 2022 election shows that the top 200 donors gave $16 million to candidates, which is $2 million more than all 206,000 small donors combined. These small donors will have a harder time getting heard in Albany than the top 200. Such an imbalance is nothing new, but it’s not forever.

Thanks to a groundbreaking public financing program, small donors will have more clout in New York’s next election. Now Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Legislature must ensure the state’s budget has the modest funding the program needs to give us the fair, inclusive democracy New Yorkers deserve.

The morning after Election Day 2022, New York launched the nation’s most powerful state public campaign finance program. It promises to counter the influence of big money in elections by amplifying the voices of everyday New Yorkers.

Read the full article here.