The numbers are of a different magnitude! This post is not to debate whether the spending by political parties is effective, or to look at the potential gullibility of the electorate; it is simply to look at the numbers.
United States
Total Campaign Spending
- In the 2020 US presidential election, nearly $14 billion was spent on federal election campaigns, making it the most expensive campaign in U.S. history[1].
- For the 2024 election cycle, presidential candidates had already raised $374.9 million and spent $270.8 million by the end of 2023[4].
Electorate Size
- As of 2022, there were approximately 161.42 million registered voters in the United States[5].
Spending Per Potential Vote
- Based on the 2020 election spending ($14 billion) and the number of registered voters (161.42 million):
United Kingdom
Total Campaign Spending
- For the 2024 general election, a party standing in all 632 seats in Great Britain could spend up to £46 million during the regulated period[6].
- The spending limit for an average candidate in a borough seat during the short campaign is up to £17,000, and in a county seat, it is up to £20,500[7].
Electorate Size
- As of December 2021, there were 46.56 million people registered to vote in UK Parliamentary elections[8].
Spending Per Potential Vote
Based on the maximum allowable spending (£46 million) and the number of registered voters (46.56 million):
Comparison
| Metric | USA | UK |
|---|---|---|
| Total Campaign Spending | $14 billion (2020) | £46 million (2024) |
| Electorate Size | 161.42 million (2022) | 46.56 million (2021) |
| Spending Per Potential Vote | $86.7 | £0.99 |
Conclusion
The campaign spending per potential vote is significantly higher in the United States compared to the United Kingdom. In the US, the spending per potential vote is approximately $86.7, whereas in the UK, it is about £0.99. This stark difference highlights the more extensive financial resources allocated to campaigning in the US electoral system compared to the UK.
References
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campaign_finance_in_the_United_States
[2] https://www.statista.com/topics/11901/2024-us-presidential-election/
[3] https://www.opensecrets.org/2020-presidential-race
[4] https://www.fec.gov/updates/statistical-summary-of-12-month-campaign-activity-of-the-2023-2024-election-cycle/
[5] https://www.statista.com/statistics/273743/number-of-registered-voters-in-the-united-states/
[6] https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/election-spending-regulated-uk
[7] https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/guidance-candidates-and-agents-uk-parliamentary-general-elections-great-britain/candidate-spending/how-much-can-you-spend
[8] https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/elections/electoralregistration
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