North Carolina May Expand Public Campaign Financing

North Carolina’s voluntary public campaign financing program would expand to cover even more statewide elected positions in legislation approved by a Senate committee.

The changes approved this week would allow candidates for up to five more Council of State seats to participate in the program.

The General Assembly this decade created a method by which candidates who agree to fundraising restrictions can receive public funds. The law now applies to appellate court candidates or three members of the Council of State — state auditor, insurance commissioner and superintendent of public instruction.

Starting in 2012, the program also would cover attorney general, treasurer, secretary of state and commissioners of agriculture and labor.