Pasadena Municipal Code Ch. 9.88 Fair Campaign Practices and Disclosure Ordinance

This chapter shall be known as the "Pasadena fair campaign practices and disclosure ordinance."

(Ord. 6075 § 1 (part), 1985)

The purposes of this chapter are to encourage fair campaign practices and require full and truthful disclosure of receipts and expenditures by candidates and committees in city election campaigns. This chapter is necessary to inhibit unfair campaign practices; to insure that voters in city elections may be fully informed concerning special interests and other persons who may influence the actions of candidates and elected officers; and to encourage individuals and organizations to participate effectively and knowledgeably in city election campaigns.

(Ord. 6075 § 1 (part), 1985)

In addition to this chapter, the provisions of the Political Reform Act of 1974, as amended (California Government Code Sections 81000 et seq.), shall apply in full to all candidate and ballot measure election campaigns held in the city. This chapter is intended to supplement, and not conflict with, the Political Reform Act. The additional requirements of this chapter shall not prevent any person from complying with the Political Reform Act.

(Ord. 6075 § 1 (part), 1985)

For purposes of this chapter, the definitions in California Government Code Sections 82000 et seq. shall apply, with the following additional definitions:

A. "Candidate" means any individual, including an elected officer, who is listed on the ballot for election to city office; who has begun circulating nomination papers for election to city office; who receives a contribution or makes an expenditure, or gives his consent for any other person to receive a contribution or make an expenditure, with a view to bringing about his election to city office; or who has otherwise taken action to bring about his election to city office. Candidate also means any elected officer who is the subject of a recall election.

B. "City office" means any office of the board of directors.

C. "Elected officer" means any person who holds a city office, or who has been elected to a city office, but has not yet taken office. A person who is appointed to fill a vacant city office is an elected officer.

D. "Election" means any primary, general or special election held in the city involving candidates for city office, including a recall election. For purposes of this chapter, each primary, general or special election is a separate election.

(Ord. 6075 § 1 (part), 1985)

A. The city clerk shall include in each set of nomination papers a copy of a fair campaign practices agreement, prepared by the city attorney and approved by resolution of the board of directors.

If a candidate for a primary election chooses to sign the agreement, he must submit the signed agreement to the city clerk with his nomination petition.

If a candidate who will be certified for a general or special election chooses to sign the agreement, he must submit the signed agreement to the city clerk no later than one working day after being certified as a candidate for that election.

B. No candidate shall be required to sign the fair campaign practices agreement.

C. Any fair campaign practices agreement filed pursuant to this section is a public record within the meaning of California Government Code Section 81008.

(Ord. 6075 § 1 (part), 1985)

A. Each committee shall file a statement of organization with the city clerk within 10 days after it has qualified as a committee under California Government Code Section 82013. The statement of organization shall include all information required by California Government Code Section 84102.

B. Whenever there is a change in the information required in a committee's statement of organization, the committee shall file an amendment with the city clerk within 10 days after the change.

(Ord. 6075 § 1 (part), 1985)

A. Each candidate and committee shall file with the city clerk campaign statements in the times and manner required by the Political Reform Act. However, except for those committees specified in Section 84200(d), all committees shall file campaign statements at the filing times specified in California Government Code Section 84200 for candidates, their controlled committees, and committees formed or existing primarily to support or oppose candidates or ballot measures at election.

B. Any loan used by a candidate or committee for political purposes shall be reported in the manner required by this section. Each candidate and committee shall maintain copies of all loan documents as provided in California Government Code Section 84104.

(Ord. 6075 § 1 (part), 1985)

A. In addition to other duties required under this chapter, the city clerk shall:

1. Supply appropriate forms and manuals prescribed by the California Fair Political Practices Commission; these forms and manuals shall be furnished to all candidates, office holders, committees, and other persons required to report;

2. Supply copies of the fair campaign practices agreement to potential candidates;

3. Supply copies of this chapter to potential candidates with their nomination papers;

4. Determine whether required documents have been filed and, if so, whether they conform on their face with the requirements of state law and this chapter;

5. Promptly notify all persons and committees who have failed to file any statement or other document in the form and at the time required by state law or this chapter;

6. Compile and maintain a current list of all statements filed with the city clerk pursuant to this chapter.

B. The city clerk shall not issue any certificate of nomination or election to any candidate, and the board of directors shall not adopt a resolution declaring such candidate to be nominated or elected, until his campaign statements required by Section 9.88.070 have been filed in the form and at the places required by this chapter and the Political Reform Act.

(Ord. 6075 § 1 (part), 1985)