Citizens vs. Citizens United

The measure is patterned after a small-donor program established in Montgomery County in 2014. It resembles national legislation that has been pushed — sadly without success so far — by Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.). Howard’s effort is unusual in that public funding programs rarely go as stand-alone measures to the voters but instead are usually packaged with other reforms. Supporters hope passage would set a precedent that would inspire other counties, in Maryland and elsewhere.