The United States Supreme Court has held that the purpose of a campaign reform ordinance must be to reduce corruption or the appearance of corruption in the electoral process, and that corruption in this context means “quid pro quo” corruption, that is, the contribution of money or resources for political favors. This Chapter does this primarily in three ways. First, this Chapter establishes a limit on the amount that individuals and entities may contribute to candidates for elective County office and their controlled committees. Second, with respect to such elections, this Chapter prohibits the hiding of the identity of contributors through the making of contributions via intermediaries without disclosure. Such contributions are attributed to the real contributor and subject to the contribution limit. Third, with respect to all elections under the jurisdiction of the Registrar of Voters, this Chapter provides optional electronic filing opportunities, in lieu of paper filing, for any elected officer, candidate, committee, or other person required by the Political Reform Act to file statements, reports, or other documents with the Registrar of Voters. All of these requirements are intended to make it more difficult for candidates and influential individuals and entities to engage in quid pro quo corruption, to make the financing of campaigns for elective office more transparent, and to make more information, especially financial information, regarding candidates and their supporters available to voters.
(Ord. 4184, passed - -2012; Am. Ord. 4226, passed - -2014; Am. Ord. 4370, passed - -2019)