,,ii #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #abgd ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,may #a1 #bjai ,mrs4 ,gillibrand introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,rules and ,administration ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act to provide for public financing for ,federal elections through vouchers directed by eligible voters to the candidates of their choice4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,clean ,elections ,act4 #b4 ,establishment of ,democracy ,dollars ,program 7a7 ,in general ,the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #cjaja et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 ,v ,democracy dollars program ,sec4 #eja4 ,definitions4 ,sec4 #ejb4 ,distribution of democracy dollars to eligible individuals4 ,sec4 #ejc4 ,requirements for participating candidates4 ,sec4 #ejd4 ,use of democracy dollars4 ,sec4 #eje4 ,administration4 ,sec4 #ejf4 ,funding4 #eja4 ,definitions ,for purposes of this title3 7#a7 ,applicable election series ,the term applicable election series means1 with respect to any ,federal office1 any of the following elections for such office during an election cycle3 7,a7 ,a primary election 7including 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 ,president7 for nomination to ,federal office4 7,b7 ,a convention or caucus of a political party that has authority to nominate a candidate to ,federal office4 7,c7 ,a general election1 a special election1 or a runoff election for ,federal office4 7#b7 ,democracy dollars 7,a7 ,in general ,the term democracy dollars means a voucher 7having such form as determined by the ,commission7 that is a ,congressional democracy dollar1 a ,senate democracy dollar1 or a ,presidential democracy dollar4 7,b7 ,congressional democracy dollar ,a ,congressional democracy dollar is a democracy dollar that is restricted such that-- 7i7 it may only be transferred to a qualified candidate for the office of ,representative in1 or ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to1 the ,congress2 and 7ii7 in the case of any election cycle beginning in #bjbe or later1 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 resident4 7,c7 ,senate democracy dollar ,a ,senate democracy dollar is a democracy dollar that is restricted such that-- 7i7 it may only be transferred to a qualified candidate for the office of ,senator2 and 7ii7 in the case of any election cycle beginning in #bjbe or later1 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 resident4 7,d7 ,presidential democracy dollar ,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 ,president4 7#c7 ,democracy dollar account ,the term democracy dollar account means an account of a participating candidate that consists only of amounts paid under section #ejd7;a77#c7 and that meets such other requirements as established by the ,commission4 7#d7 ,election cycle ,the term election cycle means the #b-year period beginning on ,january #a of each odd-numbered year4 7#e7 ,eligible individual ,the term eligible individual means1 with respect to any election cycle1 an individual who-- 7,a7 is a citizen or national of the ,united ,states2 and 7,b7 has attained the age of #ah4 7#f7 ,participating candidate ,the term participating candidate means a candidate who is certified by the ,commission under section #ejc4 7#g7 ,qualified resident 7,a7 ,in general ,except as provided in subparagraph 7,b71 the term qualified resident means1 with respect to any ,state1 an eligible individual whose primary residence is located in such ,state4 7,b7 ,exceptions 7i7 ,students ,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 resident4 7ii7 ,individuals living abroad ,any eligible individual whose primary residence is outside the ,united ,states shall be treated as a qualified resident of-- 7,i7 in the case of an eligible individual who is qualified to vote in a ,state1 the ,state in which the individual is qualified to vote2 or 7,,ii7 in the case of any other eligible individual1 the last ,state in which such individual was domiciled before leaving the ,united ,states4 #ejb4 ,distribution of democracy dollars to eligible individuals 7a7 ,process and methods for distribution 7#a7 ,in general ,upon request of an eligible individual who is a qualified resident of a ,state in which an election for ,federal office 7other than a runoff election7 is held1 the ,commission shall provide to such individual democracy dollars that may be used only in such election in the amount determined under subsection 7b74 7#b7 ,limitations 7,a7 ,time for making request ,any request under subsection 7a7 shall be made-- 7i7 no earlier than the first day of the election cycle in which the election occurs2 and 7ii7 no later than #aj days before the date of the election to which it relates4 ,in the case of elections to nominate a candidate for election to a ,federal office which do not occur on the same day1 clause 7ii7 shall be applied by using the date of last such election occurring in the ,state4 7,b7 ,limitation on distributions ,except in the case of a special election1 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 offices3 7i7 ,the office of ,representative in1 or ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to1 the ,congress4 7ii7 ,the office of ,senator4 7iii7 ,the office of ,president and ,vice ,president4 7#c7 ,methods 7,a7 ,in general ,except as provided in subparagraph 7,b71 democracy dollars shall be distributed in such manner as the ,commission determines appropriate4 7,b7 ,pilot program for mailed democracy dollars ,the ,commission shall conduct a pilot program for the distribution of democracy dollars through the mail4 ,if the ,commission determines that such program is a cost effective way to expand participation and attract a more diverse group of participants1 the ,commission shall expand such program for future elections4 7b7 ,determination of type and amount of democracy dollars provided 7#a7 ,in general ,the amount determined under this section is-- 7,a7 in the case of any election 7other than a runoff election7 for the office of ,representative in1 or ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to1 the ,congress1 the ,congressional amount2 7,b7 in the case of any election 7other than a runoff election7 for nomination to the office of ,senator1 the ,senate amount2 and 7,c7 in the case of any election for nomination to the office of1 or the office of1 ,president or ,vice ,president1 the ,presidential amount4 7#b7 ,amounts ,for purposes of this title3 7,a7 ,congressional amount 7i7 ,in general ,the ,congressional amount is an amount equal to #ajj4 7ii7 ,increase ,in the case of any election cycle beginning after #bjbb1 the amount determined under clause 7i7 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-- 7,i7 #ge percent 7or the percentage specified pursuant to section #eje7;c7 for such election cycle7 of the percentage 7if any7 by which-- 7aa7 the average of the total amount of contributions received during the preceding election cycle by each candidate for the office of ,representative in1 or ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to1 the ,congress who is not a participating candidate2 exceeds 7bb7 the average of the total amount of contributions received during the preceding election cycle by each participating candidate for the office of ,representative in1 or ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to1 the ,congress2 and 7,,ii7 the dollar amount in effect under clause 7i7 for the preceding election cycle4 7iii7 ,inflation adjustment ,in the case of any election cycle beginning after #bjbb for which there is no increase under clause 7ii71 the ,congressional amount in effect for such election cycle shall be the sum of-- 7,i7 the greater of the dollar amount specified in clause 7i7 or the dollar amount the amount in effect for the most recent election cycle for which there was such an increase2 plus 7,,ii7 the percent increase determined under section #cae7;c71 determined as if the base period were-- 7aa7 if there was no prior increase in such dollar amount pursuant to clause 7ii71 #bjba2 or 7bb7 in any other case1 the calendar year immediately preceding the first calendar year in the election cycle for which the most recent such prior increase occurred4 7,b7 ,senate amount 7i7 ,in general ,the ,senate amount is an amount equal to #ajj4 7ii7 ,increase ,in the case of any election cycle beginning after #bjbb1 the amount determined under clause 7i7 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-- 7,i7 #ge percent 7or the percentage specified pursuant to section #eje7;c7 for such election cycle7 of the percentage 7if any7 by which-- 7aa7 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 candidate2 exceeds 7bb7 the average of the total amount of contributions received during the preceding election cycle by each participating candidate for the office of ,senator2 and 7,,ii7 the dollar amount in effect under clause 7i7 for the preceding election cycle4 7iii7 ,inflation adjustment ,in the case of any election cycle beginning after #bjbb for which there is no increase under clause 7ii71 the ,senate amount in effect for such election cycle shall be the sum of-- 7,i7 the greater of the dollar amount specified in clause 7i7 or the dollar amount the amount in effect for the most recent election cycle for which there was such an increase2 plus 7,,ii7 the percent increase determined under section #cae7;c71 determined as if the base period were-- 7aa7 if there was no prior increase in such dollar amount pursuant to clause 7ii71 #bjba2 or 7bb7 in any other case1 the calendar year immediately preceding the first calendar year in the election cycle for which the most recent such prior increase occurred4 7,c7 ,presidential amount 7i7 ,in general ,the ,presidential amount is an amount equal to #ajj4 7ii7 ,increase ,the amount determined under clause 7i7 for any election cycle following the election cycle beginning on ,january #a1 #bjba1 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-- 7,i7 #ge percent 7or the percentage specified pursuant to section #eje7;c7 for such election cycle7 of the percentage 7if any7 by which-- 7aa7 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 candidate2 exceeds 7bb7 the average of the total amount of contributions received during such preceding election cycle by each participating candidate for the office of ,president2 and 7,,ii7 the dollar amount in effect under clause 7i7 for the preceding election cycle4 7iii7 ,inflation adjustment ,in the case of any election cycle beginning after #bjbb for which there is no increase under clause 7ii71 the ,presidential amount in effect for such election cycle shall be the sum of-- 7,i7 the greater of the dollar amount specified in clause 7i7 or the dollar amount the amount in effect for the most recent election cycle for which there was such an increase2 plus 7,,ii7 the percent increase determined under section #cae7;c71 determined as if the base period were-- 7aa7 if there was no prior increase in such dollar amount pursuant to clause 7ii71 #bjba2 or 7bb7 in any other case1 the calendar year immediately preceding the first calendar year in the election cycle for which the most recent such prior increase occurred4 7c7 ,determination of eligible individuals 7#a7 ,in general 7,a7 ,acquisition of information ,the ,commission shall obtain such information from ,federal agencies and from ,state and local governments as is necessary to identify eligible individuals1 determine the ,state in which the eligible individual is a qualified resident1 and deliver democracy dollars to such eligible individuals4 7,b7 ,confidentiality ,the ,commission shall treat any information obtained under subparagraph 7,a7 as confidential and shall take such action as necessary to protect the privacy of such information4 7#b7 ,limitation ,no individual shall be treated as a qualified resident of more than #a ,state4 #ejc4 ,requirements for participating candidates 7a7 ,in general ,the ,commission shall certify a candidate as a participating candidate if such candidate-- 7#a7 receives qualified contributions and transfers of democracy dollars with an aggregate value of not less than the threshold amount2 7#b7 establishes a democracy dollar account2 7#c7 certifies that the candidate has complied1 and1 if such candidate is certified as a participating candidate under this section1 will comply1 with the contribution requirements under subsection 7c7 with respect to all elections in the applicable election series for the ,federal office that the candidate is seeking2 and 7#d7 certifies that the candidate has complied1 and1 if such candidate is certified as a participating candidate under this section1 will comply1 with the personal fund requirements under subsection 7d7 with respect to all elections in the applicable election series for the ,federal office that the candidate is seeking4 7b7 ,establishment of threshold amount 7#a7 ,threshold amount 7,a7 ,in general ,for purposes of subsection 7a71 the threshold amount with respect to any election cycle is-- 7i7 in the case of a candidate for the office of ,representative in1 or ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to1 the ,congress1 #ej1jjj2 7ii7 in the case of a candidate for the office of ,senator1 #ejj1jjj2 and 7iii7 in the case of a candidate of the office of ,president or ,vice ,president1 #a1jjj1jjj4 7,b7 ,inflation adjustment ,in any calendar year after #bjbb1 section #cae7;c77#a77;,b7 of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #cjaaf7;c77#a77;,b77 shall apply to each amount described in subparagraph 7,a7 in the same manner as such section applies to the limitations established under subsections 7a77#a77;,a71 7a77#a77;,b71 7a77#c71 and 7h7 of such section1 except that for purposes of applying such section to the amounts described in subparagraph 7,a71 the base period shall be calendar year #bjba4 7#b7 ,return of vouchers 7,a7 ,in general ,in any case of any transfer of democracy dollars to a candidate who is not certified under this section before the date that is #cj days before the date of the applicable election1 such transfer shall be voided and the eligible individual who transferred such democracy dollars shall be permitted to transfer such democracy dollars 7or replacement democracy dollars with equivalent value7 to another participating candidate4 7,b7 ,applicable election ,for purposes of subparagraph 7,a71 the term applicable election means1 with respect to any candidate1 the earliest of-- 7i7 the primary election for nomination to the office for which the candidate is running2 7ii7 a convention or caucus of a political party that has authority to nominate a candidate for such office2 or 7iii7 the election for ,federal office4 ,in the case of a candidate for the office of ,president1 such term means the first primary election or caucus held for the selection of delegates to a national nominating convention of a political party4 7c7 ,contribution requirements 7#a7 ,in general ,a candidate meets the contribution requirement of this subsection if the candidate does not accept any contribution other than qualified contributions4 7#b7 ,qualified contribution ,for purposes of this subsection3 7,a7 ,in general ,the term qualified contribution 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 amount4 7,b7 ,applicable amount 7i7 ,in general ,for purposes of subparagraph 7,a71 the applicable amount is-- 7,i7 in the case of the election cycle beginning in #bjba1 #a1jjj2 7,,ii7 in the case of the election cycle beginning in #bjbc1 #hjj2 7,,iii7 in the case of the election cycle beginning in #bjbe1 #fjj2 7,,iv7 in the case of the election cycle beginning in #bjbg1 #djj2 and 7,v7 in the case of any election cycle beginning in #bjbi or later1 #bjj4 7ii7 ,indexing ,in any calendar year after #bjcj1 section #cae7;c77#a77;,b7 of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #cjaaf7;c77#a77;,b77 shall apply to the #bjj amount described in clause 7i77,v7 in the same manner as such section applies to the limitations established under subsections 7a77#a77;,a71 7a77#a77;,b71 7a77#c71 and 7h7 of such section1 except that for purposes of applying such section to the #bjj amount described in clause 7i77,v71 the base period shall be calendar year #bjbi4 7,c7 ,special rule for runoff elections 7i7 ,in general ,in the case of a runoff election1 the amount in effect under subparagraph 7,b7 shall be increased by #bjj4 7ii7 ,indexing ,in any calendar year after #bjbb1 section #cae7;c77#a77;,b7 of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #cjaaf7;c77#a77;,b77 shall apply to the #bjj amount described in clause 7i7 in the same manner as such section applies to the limitations established under subsections 7a77#a77;,a71 7a77#a77;,b71 7a77#c71 and 7h7 of such section1 except that for purposes of applying such section to the #bjj amount described in clause 7i71 the base period shall be calendar year #bjba4 7d7 ,personal funds requirement ,a candidate meets the personal funds requirement of this subsection if the candidate does not spend personal funds 7including personal funds of the candidate or any immediate family member of the candidate7 in an amount in excess of #b1ejj for any election in the applicable election series4 7e7 ,revocation2 ,prohibition on participation ,notwithstanding subsection 7a71 the ,commission may-- 7#a7 revoke a certification awarded under this section for any candidate who has violated the rules of this title2 or 7#b7 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 candidate4 #ejd4 ,use of democracy dollars 7a7 ,in general 7#a7 ,transfer of democracy dollars to participating candidates ,an eligible individual may transfer democracy dollars to participating candidates in increments that are multiples of #aj4 ,in any case in which an individual transfers an amount that is not a multiple of #aj1 such amount shall be treated as a transfer in amount equal to the next lowest multiple of #aj4 7#b7 ,amounts treated as contributions ,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 ,act1 including section #cjd 7relating to reports by political committees7 and #cae 7relating to limitations on contributions74 7#c7 ,amounts transferred into democracy dollars account 7,a7 ,in general ,except as provided in subsection #ejf7;b71 not later than #e business days after receiving notice of a transfer of democracy dollars to a candidate1 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 candidate4 7,b7 ,minimum amounts ,notwithstanding subparagraph 7,a71 the ,commission under regulations may require a minimum value threshold of democracy dollars transferred to a particular candidate before making a payment under subparagraph 7,a74 7b7 ,use of amounts in accounts 7#a7 ,permissible uses ,amounts in a democracy dollars account may be used-- 7,a7 for otherwise authorized expenditures in connection with the campaign for ,federal office of the candidate2 7,b7 subject to the limitations of section #cae7;a71 for contributions to another candidate for a ,federal office in the same ,state as the ,federal office that the candidate is seeking or for the office of ,president or ,vice ,president2 and 7,c7 as provided in subsection 7c7 7relating to return of funds74 7#b7 ,prohibited uses ,amounts in a democracy dollars account shall not-- 7,a7 be converted by any person to personal use 7within the meaning of section #cac7;b772 7,b7 be used to reimburse any eligible individual for the transfer of democracy dollars2 or 7,c7 be used to make any payment to any member of the family of the candidate 7including for any expenditure described in paragraph 7#a77;,a774 7c7 ,return of funds ,not later than the date that is #aj business days after the earliest of the date on which the participating candidate-- 7#a7 withdraws from an election in the applicable election series2 7#b7 no longer qualifies to be on the ballot for any election in the applicable election series2 or 7#c7 loses an election in the applicable election series2 the participating candidate shall remit to the ,commission any amounts in the democracy dollars account of such candidate that remain unexpended as of such date4 #eje4 ,administration 7a7 ,in general ,the ,commission shall by regulations establish rules for the administration of this title4 7b7 ,audits ,the ,commission shall-- 7#a7 conduct random audits of participating candidates under this title2 and 7#b7 establish rules for the conduct of such audits1 including rules relating to appropriate sample sizes for such audits4 7c7 ,review and adjustment of certain amounts 7#a7 ,review 7,a7 ,in general ,after each general election for ,federal office1 the ,commission shall conduct a review of the dollar amount for the ,congressional amount1 the ,senate amount1 and the ,presidential amount under section #ejb7;b74 7,b7 ,criteria ,in conducting such review1 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 candidates4 7#b7 ,adjustment ,based on the review conducted under paragraph 7#a71 the ,commission may increase the #ge percent amount under subparagraphs 7,a77ii71 7,b77ii71 and 7,c77ii7 of section #ejb7;b77#b71 except that such amount may not be adjusted to an amount in excess of #bjj percent4 7d7 ,public outreach ,the ,commission shall establish an information program to make eligible individuals aware of the availability of democracy dollars under this title4 ,such program shall include the targeting of communities and individuals who have not previously made contributions to candidates4 #ejf4 ,funding 7a7 ,authorization of appropriations 7#a7 ,in general ,there are hereby appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out the purposes of this title4 7#b7 ,availability ,any amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph 7#a7 shall remain available without fiscal year limitation until expended4 7b7 ,treatment of transfers in excess of appropriations ,in any case in which the aggregate amount of democracy dollars transferred to participating candidates exceeds the amount appropriated under subsection 7a71 the ,commission shall make payments under section #ejd7;a77#c7 in full based on the order in time in which the ,commission was notified of the transfer4 4 7b7 ,reporting of democracy dollar contributions 7#a7 ,in general ,section #cjd7;b77#c7 of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #cjajd7;b77#c77;,a77 is amended-- 7,a7 by inserting 7i7 after 7,a72 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following3 7ii7 individual who makes a contribution of democracy dollars 7as defined in section #eja7 during the reporting period1 except that in order to protect the privacy of such individual1 any identity information other than the zip code1 city1 and occupation of such individual shall be provided on a separate list which shall not be made available to the public2 4 7#b7 ,conforming amendment ,section #caa7d7 of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #cjaaa7d77 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 #cjd7;b77#c77;,a77ii744 7c7 ,repeal of presidential financing system 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended by striking subtitle ,h4 7#b7 ,repeal of income tax designations ,subchapter ,a of chapter #fa of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended by striking part ,,viii4 7#c7 ,transfer of remaining amounts ,amounts remaining in the ,presidential ,election ,campaign ,fund on the date described in subsection 7c7 shall be transferred to the general fund of the ,treasury4 7#d7 ,clerical amendments 7,a7 ,the table of subtitles for the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended by striking the item relating to subtitle ,h4 7,b7 ,the table of parts for subchapter ,a of chapter #fa of such ,code is amended by striking the item relating to part ,,viii4 7d7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to elections for ,federal office occurring after ,december #ca1 #bjbj4