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Commission discusses outreach plan, guest speakers and media strategy for Fair Election Fund
Summary
Commissioners discussed inviting Montgomery and Howard county program staff and successful candidate users as guest speakers, using a one-page flyer and county distribution lists for outreach, and checking ethics/HR rules for in‑person outreach by commissioners.
The Baltimore County Fair Election Fund Commission used its Feb. 10 meeting to shape outreach plans: commissioners asked staff to create uniform presentation materials, recommended inviting officials and candidates from other jurisdictions to speak, and discussed media and ethics considerations for outreach.
Shane Spencer, staff support, reported takeaways from Montgomery County’s experience and an analysis showing that candidates participating in that county’s public financing program received almost all of their funding from small‑dollar donations while nonparticipating candidates received far less from small donations. “Candidates that use their public financing ... got almost 100% of their funding from small dollar donations,” Spencer said, adding that participation did not reduce candidates’ chances of winning in Montgomery County.
Commissioners said they want a consistent one‑page flyer and presentation they can use when addressing civic groups, senior centers, chambers of commerce and party clubs. Marietta (commissioner) offered to leverage her networks — including League of Women Voters and NAACP chapters — to schedule meetings. Commissioners suggested inviting officials or administrators from Montgomery County and Howard County and hearing from candidates who used the funds, both successful and unsuccessful, to understand practical experiences.
Staff suggested resources for comparative research: Shane and others said the U.S. Government Accountability Office published a summary report on public financing programs across jurisdictions this year, and staff also suggested contacting Common Cause’s state contact (name cited in meeting) for outreach leads.
The commission discussed media outreach and budget: staff said reporters have begun to show interest and the Office of Communications can handle press relations and periodic releases, but paid advertising or newspaper placement would need a budget and advance planning. Commissioners also raised ethical and HR questions about commissioners doing outreach while on work time; staff advised checking with the ethics commission and HR for advisory guidance and offered that staff (Sam and Betsy) could tag‑team events where appropriate.
Staff said printed flyers can be mailed or left in Towson for commissioners to pick up and that the Fair Election Fund email is monitored by staff for follow‑up questions. Commissioners agreed to begin outreach soon — spring into summer — to build a calendar of community meetings ahead of 2026 candidate filing and the June 2026 primary.
