Date: December 1, 2011
To: Potential Candidates running for the Board of Supervisors in the November 6, 2012 Election
From: John St. Croix, Executive Director
Re: Rules Governing the Public Financing Program for the November 6, 2012 Election
As you may know, both the Ethics Commission and the Board of Supervisors will be considering legislation to modify the public financing program for candidates running for the Board of Supervisors and Mayor. Changes resulting from this process will apply to the Board of Supervisors races in the November 6, 2012 election. Possible changes include modifications to: move the date on which disbursement of public funds begins closer to the election date; change the amount of public funds that each qualified candidate may receive; raise the qualification threshold, including the amount and number of contributions required and adding a signature requirement; change the disbursement formula; and change the amount of the expenditure ceiling.
After any modifications to the public financing program are adopted into law, the Ethics Commission will provide trainings and update manuals that explain the rules governing the November 6, 2012 election. These manuals include the Candidates’ Guide for City Elective Office (manual that applies to all candidates for City elective office) and the Supplement for Candidates for the Board of Supervisors (manual for Board of Supervisors candidates only). In the meantime, please refer to the manuals that were created for the November 2010 election, which are available at the Ethics Commission office and are posted to the Commission’s website at: https://www.sfethics.org/ethics/2009/05/candidates-and-officeholders.html.
You are welcome to provide input about the possible changes to the public financing program. The Ethics Commission will be holding an interested persons meeting regarding possible changes on Tuesday, December 6, 2011, at 4:30 p.m. in Room 421 at City Hall. Thereafter, the Ethics Commission will consider proposed amendments at its meeting of December 12, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 408 at City Hall. After the Ethics Commission’s consideration of possible changes, the Board of Supervisors will consider the proposed amendments.
If you have any questions about your filing obligations, please call the Ethics Commission at 415-252-3100.