California Common Cause has updated its California Municipal Campaign Finance Index (MCFI) to include changes in local campaign finance laws up to 2024. This index, which is an interactive tool, covers all cities in California and is designed to assist activists, journalists, academics, and elected officials in understanding and implementing policies aimed at reducing the influence of large financial contributions in local politics.
Sean McMorris, who manages the transparency, ethics, and accountability program for California Common Cause, emphasized the state's leadership role in campaign finance reform. He stated: “California has long been a trailblazer in campaign finance reform, implementing regulations to curb the negative effects of big money on the local level, but there is still work to be done.” McMorris added that cities have the potential to enact significant reforms that enhance existing state laws.
The MCFI was first introduced by California Common Cause in 2023 as a detailed account of self-imposed campaign finance reforms across Californian cities. It includes an interactive spreadsheet available for reference and research purposes. The initial publication was accompanied by a comprehensive report outlining various campaign finance laws and providing historical context as well as future projections for reform.
Key updates in the 2024 MCFI include inflation-adjusted changes to campaign contribution limits. The average contribution limit increased from $711 in 2022 to $777 in 2024 due primarily to adjustments made by medium-sized cities with populations between 50,000 and 100,000 residents. Additionally, Escondido repealed its campaign finance laws while Yucaipa established unlimited contributions for local elections.
As of now, California consists of 483 cities following the addition of Mountain House. Of these cities, 142 have set their own contribution limits while 327 adhere to the state's default limit of $5,500. Fourteen cities impose no limits on contributions at all.
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