Title
Adopt a Resolution Amending Title 4 of the Administrative Code and adding Section 4.4 - Electronic Filing of Campaign Disclosure Documents
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
In an effort to increase election transparency, the Governor signed a law in September2020 requiring all campaign filings to be posted on the City's website within 72 hours of receipt. Currently, filings are accepted on paper which requires significant staff time to redact appropriate information and post on the website. Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the resolution to amend title 4 of the Administrative Code and add section 4.4 Electronic Filing of Campaign Disclosure Documents.
BACKGROUND
Historically, City Council candidates and campaign committees have filed paper copies of required campaign statements and reports. Once filed, the documents are made available for review by the public. The City Clerk's Office spends a significant amount of staff time to make such paper filings readily available to the public, online and in-person. Senate Bill 1383 requires jurisdictions to purchase recycled-content paper for products that are recyclable with the goal to keep compostable items out of landfills to reduce emissions that contribute to climate change. In compliance with SB 1383, the City Clerk's office is increasing its efforts to go paperless. Fortunately, Assembly Bill 2452 authorizes local jurisdictions to receive campaign statements and reports solely in an electronic format.
Public access to campaign disclosure information is a vital and integral component of a fully informed electorate. Transparency in campaign financing is critical to maintain public trust and support of the political process. Nevertheless, these values require staff resources to implement. As a means to more cost-effectively maintain the public trust, the City contracted with SouthTech Systems, Inc. (Granicus) for the installation of two electronic programs for online submittal and p...
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