Attempts to balance the distribution of campaign funds

+1 D

A. has not notably diminished the disparities persisting - Subject-verb agreement error. It shoud be HAVE.
B: has not been notable in diminishing the disparities that persist - The same error.
C: has not made a notable diminution in the disparities that persist - The same error.
D: have not notably diminished the disparities that persist - CORRECT
E: have not been notable in a diminution of the disparities persisting - Ackward and passive voice.

I think I deserve kudos

D is best because "attempts" is plural and so we need "have".

Attempts to balance the distribution of campaign funds available to legitimate political candidates, a contemporary goal of election reformers in several states, has not notably diminished the disparities persisting between the best and worst fundraisers.
A. has not notably diminished the disparities persisting
B: has not been notable in diminishing the disparities that persist
C: has not made a notable diminution in the disparities that persist
D: have not notably diminished the disparities that persist
E: have not been notable in a diminution of the disparities persisting
Taking the middleman out of the original sentence:
Attempts to balance the distribution [strike]of campaign funds available to legitimate political candidates, a contemporary goal of election reformers in several states[/strike],has not notably diminished the disparities persisting between the best and worst fundraisers.
=> Attempts to balance the distribution has not notably diminished the disparities persisting between the best and worst fundraisers.
Attempts = plural
Correct option : D

This is a restrictive clause and hence requires 'that .... '
Grammatically incorrect? not sure... but stylistically wrong

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