Campaign Finance and Gender Disparity

Amber R. Maltbie, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law

Abstract

Among the public policy goals advanced by electoral financing statutory schemes are increased disclosure of contributions and expenditures to curb against corrupt practices, and spending caps to “even the playing field” by candidates who don’t have personal wealth. Another public policy goal, which remains elusive in the international discourse on this issue, is closing the gender gap between elected officials. As a global standard for international political finance is developed, “gendered” provisions should be included to facilitate the increased resource mobilization necessary to achieve gender equity.