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Chapter 2.12
ELECTION REFORM ACT*

Sections:

Article 1. General Provisions

2.12.005    Title for citation.

2.12.010    Findings.

2.12.015    Purpose.

2.12.020    Liberal construction.

2.12.025    Reports and statements--Signature and verification requirements.

2.12.030    Reports and statements--Filed where.

2.12.035    Reports and statements--Filing fees prohibited.

2.12.040    Statements--Public inspection requirements.

2.12.045    Preservation from date of filing.

2.12.050    Reports and statements--City Clerk responsibilities.

2.12.051    Amendment or repeal of chapter.

2.12.055    Items of value--Report requirements.

2.12.060    Applicability--Severability.

2.12.065    Publication of contributions prior to elections.

Article 2. Definitions

2.12.070    Interpretation.

2.12.075    Adjusting an amount for cost of living changes.

2.12.080    Campaign statement.

2.12.085    Candidate.

2.12.090    Commission.

2.12.095    Committee.

2.12.100    Contribution.

2.12.105    Controlled committee.

2.12.110    Cumulative amount.

2.12.115    Elected officer.

2.12.120    Election.

2.12.125    Elective office.

2.12.130    Expenditure.

2.12.135    Filer.

2.12.140    Independent committee.

2.12.142    Independent expenditure.

2.12.145    Late contribution.

2.12.150    Mass mailing.

2.12.155    Measure.

2.12.160    Period covered.

2.12.165    Persons.

Article 3. Fair Campaign Practices Commission

2.12.170    Established--Number of members.

2.12.175    Term--Appointments and reappointments.

2.12.180    Quorum.

2.12.185    Election of chairperson.

2.12.186    Vice-chairperson.

2.12.190    Vacancy filling.

2.12.195    Members--Qualifications and restrictions.

2.12.196    Avoidance of political conflict of interest.

2.12.200    Staff powers and duties.

2.12.205    Administrative responsibility.

2.12.210    Rules and regulations--Authority.

2.12.215    Additional duties.

2.12.220    Opinions.

2.12.225    Investigation authority and procedures.

2.12.227    Subpoena--Testimony under oath.

2.12.230    Notice and hearing on violations.

2.12.235    Judicial review of actions.

2.12.240    Meetings to be open to the public.

Article 4. Disclosure Requirements and Procedures

2.12.245    Campaign treasurer--Appointment required--Powers and duties.

2.12.250    Campaign expenditure and contribution account--Establishment required-- Procedure for use.

2.12.255    Statement of organization--Committee required to file.

2.12.260    Statement of organization--Information required.

2.12.265    Statement of organization--Change of information--Amendment required.

2.12.270    Campaign statement--Filing requirements.

2.12.272    Slate mailer organizations’ reporting requirements.

2.12.275    Campaign statement--Verification.

2.12.280    Campaign statement--Information required.

2.12.285    Campaign statement--Candidate statement in lieu permitted when.

2.12.290    Campaign statement--Consolidation permitted when.

2.12.295    Report of late contributions.

2.12.300    Contributions--Written instrument required when.

2.12.305    Contributions--From persons using other than legal name prohibited.

2.12.310    Contributions--By persons on behalf of other persons prohibited.

2.12.315    Expenditures--Report requirements--Scope.

2.12.320    Anonymous contributions--Restrictions--Payment to City required when.

2.12.325    Mass mailings--Copies to commission.

2.12.330    Mass mailings by independent expenditure.

Article 5. Expenditure Limitations

2.12.405    Measures--Compensation for petition circulation--Disclosure.

Article 6. Limitations on Contributions

2.12.415    Persons other than candidate--Maximum permitted amount.

2.12.435    Excess amounts--Payment to City Auditor required.

2.12.440    Contributions from certain organizations and business entities prohibited.

Article 7. Enforcement--Penalties For Violation

2.12.445    Complaints--Filing, investigation and commission action.

2.12.450    Actions for compliance--Who is authorized to institute.

2.12.455    Actions for compliance--Procedure required and commission authority.

2.12.460    Violation--Deemed misdemeanor--Penalty.

2.12.465    Actions for compliance--Disposition of amounts recovered.

2.12.470    Violation--Candidate’s office forfeited when.

2.12.475    Violation--Candidacy terminated when.

2.12.480    Violation--Persons ineligible for candidacy--Time limit.

2.12.485    Late filing penalties.

*The City Attorney has determined that certain uncodified provisions are unconstitutional. See Citizens for Jobs and Energy v. Fair Political Practices Comm. (1976) 16 Cal. 3d 671.

The City Attorney has determined that Ord. 4700-NS § 602 applies only to ballot measures which are recalls; it has been held unconstitutional with respect to initiatives and referenda. (See Citizens Against Rent Control v. City of Berkeley (1981) 454 US 290.)

The City Attorney has also determined that Ord. 4700-NS § 605 applies only to candidate campaigns and ballot measures which are recalls; it has been held unconstitutional with respect to initiatives and referenda. (See Pacific Gas and Electric v. City of Berkeley, (1976) 60 Cal. App. 3d 123).

The City Attorney has determined that Ord. 4700-NS § 517, as modified by Ord. 5895-N.S. § 1, is unconstitutional; see Meyer v. Grant (1988) 486 U.S. 414, Buckley v. American Constitutional Law Foundation (1999) 525 U.S. 182.