Chapter 2.28 — ELECTIONS

• A. Purpose. The purposes of this section are:

  1. To eliminate the possibility of corruption or the appearance of corruption in local elections, arising as a result of disproportionately large political contributions, whether cash or in-kind, by adopting the least restrictive limits possible on the amounts of money any person may contribute or otherwise cause to be available to candidates for the City Council and those who support or oppose such candidates;

  2. To inhibit improper or illegal campaign activity, and to ensure vigorous enforcement of this section; and

  3. Pursuant to California Government Code Section 81013 and Elections Code Section10202, to impose contribution limitations and other regulations in addition to those imposed by State law, but that do not prevent any person from complying with State law.

• B. Definitions. The terms and provisions of this section shall have the meanings and shall be interpreted in accordance with the applicable definitions and provisions of the Political Reform Act of 1974, as amended (Government Code Section 81000, et seq.) and the regulations of the California Fair Political Practices Commission, as amended.

• C. Contribution Limitations.

  1. No person other than the candidate shall make to any candidate for office or to the controlled committee of such a candidate or to any committee which supports or opposes such candidate, a contribution or contributions totaling more than $100.00 for each election in which the candidate was on, is on, or is likely to be on the ballot or in which the candidate sought or seeks write-in votes.

  2. No candidate for office or the controlled committee of such a candidate or any committee which supports or opposes such candidate shall accept from any person other than the candidate a contribution or contributions totaling more than $100.00 for each election.

3. This section shall not be interpreted or applied to violate the right of association or the right to express views through expenditures. Rather, it is intended to be and shall be applied solely as a limit on campaign contributions to individuals and committees.

(Prior code §§ 2.91—2.93)

• A. Notwithstanding any limitation contained in the general laws of the State, the City Council may, in the resolution or ordinance calling a general municipal election or any other election, direct that such election be conducted wholly by mail as an all mail ballot election.

• B. A special municipal election may be held on any date, regardless of whether the date is an established election date under the general laws of the State governing municipal elections.

• C. An all mail ballot election may be held on any date, regardless of whether the date is an established mailed ballot election date under the general laws of the State governing municipal elections.

• D. If, in connection with an election, the last day for submission to the City Clerk of any filing, argument, or other document would otherwise be a day on which the City Clerk's Office does not open to the public (such as a Saturday, Sunday, public holiday or other day on which City Hall is closed) such submission may occur on the next business day with the same effect as if it had occurred upon the day otherwise appointed.

• E. In all other respects, the conduct of elections, including the selection of election dates, shall be pursuant to the general laws of the State governing municipal elections, except to the extent such general laws are inconsistent with the provisions of this Code or of the City Charter.

(Prior code § 2.118)

This chapter is not intended to affect the procedures provided by the general laws of the State of California governing municipal elections. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, if this chapter or any provision thereof should be construed to apply to election procedures within the meaning of Article V, Chapter 5.3 of the Charter of the City of Vernon, this section shall supersede the general laws of the State of California as they may exist from time to time to the extent that such general laws may be inconsistent with the provisions of Sections 2.04.030, 2.04.040 and this section.

(Prior code § 17B.3)