Oakland Municipal Code Art. II Definitions

A. Unless the term is specifically defined in this Act or the contrary is stated or clearly appears from the text, the definitions set forth in the City of Oakland Campaign Reform Act (Chapter 3.12 of the Oakland Municipal Code) and in the California Political Reform Act (Government Code Sections 81000 et seq.), as amended, govern the interpretation of this Act.

B. For purposes of this Act:

1. "Democracy Dollars" means the four (4) Democracy Dollar vouchers, each worth twenty-five dollars ($25.00), of campaign money from the fund, that are to be distributed to eligible residents under Section 3.15.090 of this Act.

2. "Applicant Candidate" means a candidate for a covered office who has filed a notice of intent to apply for certification in the program under Section 3.15.080(A).

3. "Certified Candidate" means a candidate who has received certification in the program under Section 3.15.080.

4. "Commission" means the Oakland Public Ethics Commission.

5. "Contested Election" means an election for a covered office in which an applicant or certified candidate is opposed by:

a. Another certified candidate for the same covered office; or

b. Another candidate for the same covered office who has received contributions or made expenditures that, in the aggregate, equal or exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00). "Covered office" means the office of Mayor, City Attorney, City Auditor, City Council, or School Board of Directors.

6. "Executive Director" means the Executive Director of the Oakland Public Ethics Commission.

7. "Eligible Resident" means a natural person who satisfies all of the following conditions:

a. Is at least eighteen (18) years old on the date of the election for which the Democracy Dollars are distributed;

b. Currently resides in the City and has resided in the City for more than thirty (30) days;

c. Is not prohibited from making a contribution under 52 U.S.C. § 30121.

8. "Fund" means the Oakland Democracy Dollars Fund created under Section 3.15.060. This definition does not apply to "funds" or any use of "fund" preceded by an adjective, such as "General Fund."

9. "Nomination Period" means the period in which candidates for City office must file their nomination documents with the City Clerk pursuant to Section 3.08.040 of the Oakland Municipal Code.

10. "Program" means the Democracy Dollars Program established by this Act.

11. "Qualifying Contribution" means a monetary contribution, excluding a loan, made by an eligible resident to an applicant candidate in an amount of at least ten dollars ($10.00) and not more than the contribution limit under Subsection 3.12.050 B. of the Oakland Municipal Code.

12. "Qualifying Period" means the period beginning January 1 in the year of an election and ending fourteen (14) days after the close of the nomination period for the election.

13. "Uncontested Election" means an election for a covered office that is not a contested election.

C. For purposes of this Act, any reference to a candidate includes the candidate's controlled committee for City office, the treasurer of the candidate's controlled committee for City office, and any agent of the candidate or the candidate's controlled committee for City office.

(Res. No. 89316, § 2, 7-22-2022)