MONTEREY COUNTY CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM
With the 2004 election behind us, it is time to reconsider how the LWVMP can improve elections by addressing the issue of Campaign Finance Reform (CFR). The LWVMP's current position on Campaign Finance Reform--adopted in 1997--is that we support:
- A Monterey County Campaign Finance Reform Ordinance with the following emphasis:
- Encourage voluntary expenditure limits in campaigns.
- Require frequent and timely disclosure requirements in campaigns with penalties for failure to meet deadlines or incomplete disclosure statements.
- Require campaigns to reject contributions several days before elections.
- Require disclosure several days before elections.
- An ordinance that would be similar to the Model Ordinance from the 1988 report of the California Committee on Campaign Financing.
- A limit on out-of-county contributions.
- Adoption of Campaign Reform Ordinances similar to the Model Ordinance by local cities in Monterey County.
The LWV California Position on CFR is as follows:
- Support state campaign finance practices for candidates and advocates of ballot measure positions which will ensure full disclosure of campaign contributions and expenditures and enable candidates to compete more equitably for public office.
- Effective monitoring and enforcement.
- Realistic limits on contributions by individuals and groups to candidates and ballot measure campaigns.
- Realistic limits on the amount each candidate and ballot measure committee can spend.
- A requirement that each candidate have one central committee responsible for coordinating, controlling, and reporting all contributions and expenditures.
- Government provision of services for the voter, such as voter registration and distribution of information on candidates and issues.
- Measures which will limit or shorten the length of campaigns.
The LWVUS position on CFR states the following:
"Improve methods of financing political campaigns in order to ensure the public's right to know, combat corruption and undue influence, enable candidates to compete more equitably for public office and promote citizen participation in the political process."
The LWV of Sacramento developed such a model ordinance in 2000, with advice from the UCLA Center for Governmental Studies. This ordinance includes policies on contribution limits (including aggregation of contributions), time period restrictions, transfers, loans, internal communications, thresholds, etc.
Options open for discussion include:
- An update or restudy of CFR.
- Advocacy, including promoting the adoption of CFR ordinances by cities and the county.
- Citizen education on CFR.
If you are interested in discussing how the LWVMP should move forward, come to the December Natural Resources Meeting at:
12 noon, December 1
Mariposa Hall
801 Lighthouse Avenue, Monterey
--Government Director, LWVMP
