Golden State Today

SACRAMENTO, Calif — California Common Cause has launched a unique index and report on campaign finance laws in California cities. This innovative resource is designed to assist activists, academics, and elected officials in their research and reform efforts. The report, titled "Local Dollars and Local Democracy," documents and analyzes all campaign finance reforms across California cities as of December 2022.

The findings of the report indicate that state laws have significantly advanced municipal campaign finance reform in California. It also reveals that many cities, particularly charter cities, have implemented reforms that surpass what state law requires.

“California has long been a trailblazer in campaign finance reform, proposing and implementing regulations aiming to curb the negative effects of big money in politics,” said Sean McMorris, transparency, ethics, and accountability program manager for California Common Cause. “While there is no silver bullet for money’s outsized influence in our political system, this report details the myriad of good reforms that level the playing field and mitigate the distorting effects unlimited money holds over our democracy.”

"Local Dollars and Local Democracy" is an analysis of all campaign finance reforms in California cities as of December 2022. The report’s findings are informed by data collected in the California Municipal Campaign Finance Index (MCFI), an organized and interactive accounting composed by California Common Cause. This index includes campaign finance laws codified in the charters and municipal codes of all California cities. To provide context to the data and findings, the report also examines the history, current state, and potential future state of campaign finance reform in California.

The MCFI is intended to support education and advocacy efforts related to campaign finance reform.

“Though we know California leads in campaign finance reform efforts, there is still more work to be done, especially at the local level of government,” added McMorris. “As our report documents, cities can implement reforms that supplement and improve upon existing state laws.”

On Thursday, May 23, California Common Cause will host a webinar workshop to guide users on how to operate and best utilize the MCFI. This will be followed by a panel discussion with academics and local leaders on the impact and importance of campaign finance reform.