Notice of Proposition H Impact on Existing Candidate Committees
Fundraising and distributing campaign communications are two fundamental parts of any campaign. State and local law impose a number of requirements and restrictions with respect to these aspects of a campaign.
County Central Committee seats are NOT considered City elective offices and have different filing obligations. Candidates for these seats should see the Information for Candidates for County Central Committee page.
Fundraising
City candidates must be sure to comply with applicable contribution limits and prohibitions. Most notably, City candidates may not accept contributions from corporations, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, foreign nationals (without lawful permanent residence), certain contractors (or their officers and directors) who are negotiating or recently negotiated a City contract, or from persons who have a financial interest in a land use matter pending before certain boards and commissions. See Candidates’ Guide for City Elective Office for additional information on contribution prohibitions.
All other contributions are limited to $500 per source. Candidates must also be sure to collect the following information from any contributor prior to accepting a contribution of $100 or more: full name, street address, and occupation and employer. Cash contributions of $100 or more are prohibited. A full explanation on applicable limits can be found in the Commission’s guide for contributors.
In addition, elected officials, department heads or members of appointed boards and commissions are prohibited from soliciting or accepting contributions in excess of $250 from persons who are parties to, or participants in, proceedings pending before them, and from making decisions affecting a source of campaign contributions or more than $250. For additional information on the ban and disqualification, please see this notice or contact the FPPC.
City officials must consult their department’s Statement of Incompatible Activities and the Good Government Guide to ensure compliance.
The Ethics Commission has also produced guidelines for due diligence efforts in connection with prohibited contributions as well as a sample contributor card template for use in collecting contributor information and complying with contribution restrictions.
Use of campaign funds
State law imposes restrictions on how campaign funds may be used. Generally, any expenditure of campaign funds must be reasonably related to a political, legislative or governmental purpose. Additionally, any expenditure that confers a “substantial personal benefit” (i.e., worth $200 or more) on the candidate, officeholder or any individual authorized to approve campaign expenditures must be directly related to a political, legislative or governmental purpose. Local law also prohibits the use of campaign funds to support or oppose other candidates or measures, and to make donations to nonprofit organizations. The FPPC’s and the Commission’s candidate guides set forth the restrictions on the use of campaign funds in more detail.
Distributing campaign communications (Candidate Advertisement Disclaimers)
Under state and local law, candidate campaigns must include certain disclaimers on their communications with potential voters, including mailers, billboards, phone calls, and TV and radio ads. A disclaimer is the portion of a political message that identifies the person or entity who paid for or authorized the communication.
I. Communications by City Candidate Committees for their own Election
V. Independent Expenditure Ads on Candidates (by Candidates and Political Party Committees)
IV. Independent Expenditure Ads on Ballot Measures (by Candidates and Political Party Committees)
Local law also imposes a reporting requirement when a candidate sends a mass mailer. That requirement is explained in the next section.
Reporting and recordkeeping