San Ramon Municipal Code Ch. II Campaigns

A. Inherent in the high cost of election campaigns is the possibility and the appearance of improper influence, real or potential, exercised by campaign contributors over elective officials. B. The intent and purpose of this chapter, through the voluntary action of city council candidates, is to: 1. Preserve and foster an orderly political forum in which persons may express themselves effectively; 2. Place realistic limits on the amounts of money that may be spent in political campaigns for city council elections;

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3. Decrease the cost of campaigns; and 4. Prevent the appearance of improper influence.

(Prior code § A4-11)

Definitions codified in the Political Reform Act, beginning at Section 82000 et seq. of the Government Code, shall apply to this chapter except: "Committee" (Section 82013 of the Government Code) means:

1. A committee, person or group of persons soliciting, receiving and/or expending contributions intended to: a. Aid or oppose the election campaign of a candidate for city council; or b. Support or defeat any measure qualified on the ballot by the city.
2. Any committee, person or group of persons aiding or opposing, directly or indirectly, any candidate, or committee, as defined in subdivision 1 of this subsection or support or oppose any measure qualified on the ballot by the city, whether or not the committee was originally organized for election purposes. (Ord. 189 § 2 (part), 1990)

A. The city clerk when he or she issues the declaration of candidacy, shall also issue to each candidate for city council, a copy of the resolution of the city council establishing the campaign spending limitations for the current election and a form for a voluntary campaign pledge which shall read as follows:

Fair Campaign Pledge
1. I shall conduct my campaign for City Council openly and fairly.
2. I shall discuss the issues and participate in fair debate with respect to my views and
qualifications.
3. I shall not engage in, or permit to the extent possible, defamatory attacks on the character
of my opponents; nor shall I engage in unwarranted invasions of personal privacy unrelated
to campaign issues.
4. I shall not at any time use or permit the use of any campaign material or advertisement
which misrepresents, distorts, or otherwise falsifies the facts regarding any candidate or the
candidate's position on issues.
5. I shall clearly identify myself, or my campaign committee(s), as the sender of all of my
campaign mailings.
6. I shall personally approve in writing all of my campaign material, advertisements, or
mailings, prior to their use.
7. I shall publicly repudiate support derived from any individual or group whose activities
would violate this Fair Campaign pledge.
8. I shall file all campaign statements as required by the California Political Reform Act and the
City of San Ramon Campaign Ordinance, on time and with full disclosure of campaign
contributions and expenditures.

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9. I shall not duplicate or use any lists of contributors filed by any other candidates for the
   purpose of compiling my own mailing lists without the permission of the other candidate.
   10. I shall attempt to limit all expenditures on behalf of my campaign to a sum not to exceed the
   campaign limit expenditure amount set for the current election by Resolution of the City
   Council, a copy of which is included in the packet distributed with the nomination papers.
   11. I shall, insofar as is practical, participate in joint mailing activities with other City Council
   candidates.
   12. I shall not post nor permit to be posted on my behalf any signs, posters or other displays on
   any public or utility owned property or public rights of way.
   13. I shall remove all signs, posters or other displays within seven days after the municipal
   election in which I was the candidate.
   14. I, the undersigned candidate for election to the San Ramon City Council, hereby voluntarily
   endorse, subscribe to, and solemnly pledge myself to conduct my campaign in accordance
   with the above principles and practices.

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Date Signature

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Date of Election Print Name

B. Each candidate may choose to sign or not sign the campaign pledge. C. Any candidate may file the pledge with his declaration for candidacy. (Ord. 239 § 2, 1993; prior code §§ A4-12, A4-17, A4-18)

At the close of the nomination period for city office, the city clerk shall: A. Issue a general press release stating the name of each candidate for city office who has, and who has not, subscribed to the pledge of Fair Campaign Practices; B. Make available to the public, press and other news media, upon receipt, the statements filed pursuant to paragraph 14 of the candidates fair campaign pledge. (Prior code § A4-24)

Every candidate for city council and treasurer of a committee as defined in Section A3-12 shall comply with any filings required by the Political Report Act of 1974, as amended. (Ord. 239 § 1, 1993: Ord. 189 § 2 (part), 1990) (Ord. No. 457, § 2, 3-24-2015)

A. Any person who knowingly violates any provision of this Chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor. B. Any person residing in the city may sue for injunctive relief to enjoin violations or to compel compliance with the provisions of this chapter. The court may award a plaintiff or defendant who prevails his or her costs of litigation, including reasonable attorney's fees; provided, however, no such award may be granted against the city. C. The city clerk is authorized to apply the provisions of Government Code Section 91013 to violations of this chapter regarding late filings.

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(Ord. 189 § 2 (part), 1990)

A3-17 through A3-20. Reserved. -