City candidates and elected officeholders are subject to detailed public disclosure requirements regarding their political fundraising and expenditure activities. Complete and
timely disclosure ensures that this information is easily accessible to the public.
City candidates, officeholders and their political committees are required to
file campaign statements with the City Ethics Commission at specific intervals that disclose all monetary
(including loans) and non- monetary contributions received; all expenditures (including
loans) made; unpaid bills; and any increases to cash, such as bank interest and dividends
received.
When candidates have raised or spent at least $25,000 in connection with their
campaign, they must begin to file campaign disclosure statements online in
addition to filing paper copies of statements. Once the $25,000 threshold is met, the
next statement due must be filed electronically. In addition to late filing penalties that may
be imposed for a late filing of a paper copy, an additional penalty of $25 per day applies
after the deadline for the late filing of the online copy.
In the wake of several United States Supreme Court decisions, the Ethics Commission is reviewing the City's campaign finance laws. Recommendations for improving the laws will be forwarded to the City Council once the Ethics Commission has completed its review.
Campaign Electronic Filing System (CEFS)
When candidates have raised or spent at least $25,000 in connection with their campaign, they must begin to file campaign disclosure statements (CA Form 460) online in addition to filing paper copies of statements. Once the $25,000 threshold is met, the next statement due must be filed electronically. In addition to late filing penalties that may be imposed for a late filing of a paper copy, an additional penalty of $25 per day applies after the deadline for the late filing of the online copy.
