Proposition 15
Legislative Initiative Amendment
California Fair Elections Act
The Question:
Should California lift the ban on public funding of political campaigns and establish public funding for Secretary of State candidates in the 2014 and 2018 elections?
The Situation:
In 1988 voters passed Prop 73, an initiative that banned political candidates from using public funds for campaigns. The ban includes all state elected offices and most local offices, although a few charter cities have adopted public financing for some local offices.
The Secretary of State serves as the state’s chief elections official and has other duties that include monitoring lobbyists’ activities. Lobbying is the act of communicating with public officials to influence government actions. More than 4,300 lobbyists are currently registered and pay a fee of $25 every two years.
The Proposal:
Proposition 15 would lift the ban on public funding of political campaigns in California and allow such programs to be created by the legislature. It would also establish a public funding program for Secretary of State campaigns until 2019, which could be extended by the legislation and governor.
Candidates running for Secretary of State in 2014 and 2018 could voluntarily receive state funds for their campaigns if they showed enough public support and agreed to other requirements. Candidates from major parties would have to collect $5 contributions from 7,500 registered voters, and minor party candidates would need at least 3,750 voters to give them $5. Publicly-funded candidates could generally not accept other campaign contributions, except limited start-up money and limited party contributions.
Prop 15 sets public funding amounts for participating candidates. Extra matching funds would be allowed when a publicly-funded candidate is outspent by privately-funded opponents. If program funds are insufficient to fund all candidates at the allowed levels, then all candidates would get less public money and be allowed to seek private donations to make up the difference.
Prop 15 would raise the lobbyist registration fee to $700 every two years and use the increase on the public funding program for Secretary of State candidates.
If both Prop 14 and Prop 15 pass, differences in election procedures would have to be reconciled by legislation, judicial action, or another ballot measure.
Fiscal Effect:
Spending on the new public funding program would be limited to the available funds. The increased lobbyist fee and $5 qualifying contributions would provide the program with about $6 million for each election year.
A YES Vote Means:
Public funding for political campaigns would be allowed. In 2014 and 2018, Secretary of State candidates could choose to receive public funds for campaigning, if they met certain requirements. Candidates who do not receive public funds would be subject to current campaign finance law.
A NO Vote Means:
The current ban on public funding for political campaigns would continue. Candidates for all state offices would pay for their campaigns with private funds subject to current law.
Supporters Say:
- Prop 15 removes wealth as a major factor affecting whether a candidate is able to run a successful campaign.
- Public campaign funding helps candidates focus on the public interest instead of special interests and fundraising.
- Prop 15 places reasonable fees on lobbyists and won’t raise taxes or take funds from other programs.
Opponents Say:
- Prop 15 gives public money to politicians and lets them use it on negative ads and junk mail.
- Prop 15 allows the legislature to expand public funding of campaigns to other offices without voter approval.
- Prop 15 overturns a decision California voters made 20 years ago to ban public funding of political campaigns.
Official Contact Information:
Supporters: California Fair Elections
800.566.3780 • www.yesfairelections.org
Opponents: Stop Prop 15
916.448.4234 • www.StopProp15.com