Inglewood Municipal Code § 2-246 Councilmanic Districts

The City of Inglewood's Council District boundaries are hereby established in accordance with the FAIR MAPS Act. The boundaries and identifying number of each Council District shall be as described on the official "Council District Map" on file in the Office of the City Clerk. The map is adopted by reference as though fully set forth in this Section.

(Ord. 2163 12-27-73; Ord. 2410 10-27-81; Ord. 91-27 10-1-91; Ord. 02-18 4-2-02; Ord. 22-06 4-5-22)

A. Purpose. The purpose of this Section is to encourage public confidence in the political process and to prevent corruption and the appearance of corruption by limiting the source and amount of contributions that may be made to candidates and committees controlled by candidates for elective offices.

B. Definitions. Except as more specifically provided herein, the definitions set forth in the Political Reform Act of 1974 (Government Code Sections 81000 et seq., as amended) shall govern interpretation of this Section and are hereby incorporated herein by this reference.

"City Election"

shall mean any primary, general, or special election, including a recall election, held within the City of Inglewood for elective City offices. Each primary, general, or special election is a separate election for purposes of this Section.

"Elective Office"

shall mean members of the Inglewood City Council, the Inglewood City Clerk, and/or the Inglewood City Treasurer.

"Person"

shall have the same definition as "Person" in California Government Code Section 82047, as it may be amended from time to time, and which currently provides as follows: "an individual, proprietorship, firm, partnership, joint venture, syndicate, business trust, company, corporation, limited liability company, association, committee, and any other organization or group of persons acting in concert."

C. Campaign Contribution Limits.

1. A person shall not make to a candidate for elective office, or a committee controlled by that candidate, and a candidate for elective office, or a committee controlled by that candidate, shall not accept from a person, a contribution totaling more than $100,000 for a single election.

2. The City Council may adjust the contribution limit set forth in Subsection C of this Section in January of every odd-numbered year, commencing in 2023, to reflect any increase or decrease in the Consumer Price Index, All Urban Consumers. Those adjustments shall be rounded to the nearest $100.

D. Contribution Limits to Other Candidates. A candidate for elective office or a committee controlled by that candidate shall not make any contribution to any other elective office candidate in excess of the limits set forth in Subsection C.

E. Limits on Transfers of Contributions. A candidate for elective office may transfer campaign funds from one controlled committee to a controlled committee for elective office of the same candidate. Contributions transferred shall be attributed to specific contributors using a "last in, first out" or "first in, first out" accounting method, and these attributed contributions when aggregated with all other contributions from the same contributor shall not exceed the limits set forth in Subsection C.

F. Limitations on Campaign Loans.

1. The provisions of this Subsection F regarding loans apply to extensions of credit, but do not apply to loans made to a candidate for elective office by a commercial lending institution in the lender's regular course of business on terms available to members of the general public for which the candidate is personally liable.

2. Notwithstanding Subsection (F)(1), a candidate for elective office shall not personally loan to the candidate's campaign, including the proceeds of a loan obtained by the candidate from a commercial lending institution, an amount, the outstanding balance of which exceeds $100,000. A candidate for elective office shall not charge interest on any loan the candidate made to the candidate's campaign.

G. Contributions After Election. A contribution for an election may be accepted by a candidate for elective office after the date of the election only to the extent that the contribution does not exceed net debts outstanding from the election, and the contribution does not otherwise exceed the applicable contribution limit for that election in accordance with Subsection C.

H. Limits on Carry-Over of Contributions. Notwithstanding Subsection E, a candidate for elective office may carry over contributions raised in connection with one election for elective office to pay campaign expenditures incurred in connection with a subsequent election for the same elective office.

I. Contributions Before an Election. A candidate for elective office may raise contributions for a general election before the primary election, and for a special general election before a special primary election, for the same elective office if the candidate sets aside these contributions and uses these contributions for the general election or special general election. If the candidate for elective office is defeated in the primary election or special general election, or otherwise withdraws from the general election or special general election, the general election or special general election funds shall be refunded to the contributors on a pro rata basis less any expenses associated with the raising and administration of general election or special general election contributions. Candidates for elective office may establish separate campaign contribution accounts for the primary and general elections or special primary and special general elections.

(Ord. 21-02 11-24-20)