The map below shows the distribution of states that provide either direct candidate support, direct party support, support to both candidates and parties, or to neither. Technically Nebraska fits into the category of providing direct candidate support and no direct party support, however it provides such candidate funding only in unusual circumstances as explained in the Distribution of Funds section of this report. Sources of Public Funding There are a number of methods for obtaining money to support public financing of campaigns. There are also programs for tax deductions for small personal contributions and tax credits for contributing to candidates that accept expenditure limits. Additionally, some states allow taxpayers to take a deduction for contributing to a political party or to candidates that participate in expenditure limit and public funding programs.
States also have a number of sources for supplementing the funding.
One important method for supplementing public financing is through direct appropriations. Two prerequisites are generally required of a candidate qualifying for public funding, and all states' public funding programs mandate a spending limit to receive funds. The first prerequisite is the minimum amount of private money, either raised or spent by the campaign. This is either a set dollar amount, or a percentage of the overall spending limit. In some states it is determined by the amount of money available in the fund.