Candidate for City Auditor and Northeast Portland resident Simone Rede has chosen to participate in the city’s Small Donor Elections program, which provides matching funds to candidates with broad community support. She and her volunteer treasurer were trained by program staff and approved to start raising qualifying contributions on December 23, 2021.
The program encourages small donations from everyday Portlanders to reduce the influence of large contributions in City elections. Candidates running for Auditor must collect contributions from 250 individuals. Those contributions must be from Portland residents at least 18 years of age, who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents per federal law. Candidates participating in the program can accept contributions from people living outside of Portland, but only donations from Portland residents qualify for matching.
Participants are limited to accepting $250 per donor per election. Candidates receive up to a 9-to-1 match on the first $20 they receive from Portland residents. Candidates for Auditor can raise up to $250,000 in matching funds.
A 2021 report issued by the Portland Elections Commission found that the program made progress on its goal to "increase and broaden democratic engagement." Data showed that people from lower income neighborhoods in North, Northeast, and East Portland gave more than in previous elections.
“Participating in Small Donor Elections reflects my values of public service and inclusion,” Rede said in a statement. “As City Auditor, I will work to ensure that community members’ voices are heard, and diverse people are engaged in the Office’s work.”
Rede must raise donations of up to $250 from at least 250 Portland donors by January 28, 2022. Donations to her campaign can be made at simoneforauditor.com/donate.
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