Alameda Campaign Funding
So Voters Know Who is Funding Who & What
It’s expensive to run for public office or sponsor a ballot measure, even in our relatively small town. The five candidates in the 2020 City Council race raised a combined total of almost $300,000 -- just over $5 for each vote cast. More than $116,000 was spent by proponents and opponents of Measure Z.
Individuals and organizations contribute to campaigns for a variety of reasons. Large contributions make it easier for a particular candidate or group supporting a measure to get their message out to the voters. But they also raise the financial bar for running for office or getting a measure passed. Special interests can use their deep pockets to leverage their influence on the outcomes.
Individuals and organizations contribute to campaigns for a variety of reasons. Large contributions make it easier for a particular candidate or group supporting a measure to get their message out to the voters. But they also raise the financial bar for running for office or getting a measure passed. Special interests can use their deep pockets to leverage their influence on the outcomes.
Transparency is the key. To that end, campaign finance laws require candidates to declare all contributions large and small. In California, candidates for all public offices must file a California Form 460 several times during the election cycle to document the source and amount of all campaign contributions. This gives voters an opportunity to factor in contributions to candidates when casting their ballot.
Anybody can access California Form 460 filings on the Secretary of State’s website. In addition, the Alameda City Clerk posts filings for all local candidates on the City of Alameda website.
Anybody can access California Form 460 filings on the Secretary of State’s website. In addition, the Alameda City Clerk posts filings for all local candidates on the City of Alameda website.
To enable Alameda voters to better understand the source of campaign funds without wading through these lengthy reports, the League of Women Voters of Alameda translates these numbers into easily-understood graphics during each election. The graphics compare campaign funds by the location of contributor, the type of contributor and the size of contributions. Tables for each candidate or ballot measure itemize contributions of $1,000 or more. For the first time this year, we are also tracking loans received by candidates. After the election, we will also show the amount each campaign spent per vote received.
Please let us know if you find this information helpful and what further we can do to increase your knowledge of the source of funding for each candidate and measure in future elections. You can email the League of Women Voters of Alameda at [email protected] with questions or feedback.
View the LWV of Alameda election charts and tables below.
Please let us know if you find this information helpful and what further we can do to increase your knowledge of the source of funding for each candidate and measure in future elections. You can email the League of Women Voters of Alameda at [email protected] with questions or feedback.
View the LWV of Alameda election charts and tables below.
Election Charts & Tables
More on Money in Politics
California voters, you can get campaign funding information for races not profiled here at Voter's Edge California.
Want a short civics explainer on where candidates tend to get money? According to OpenSecrets.org, there are four main sources: political action committees (PACs), large individual donors, small donors, and self-funding candidates. This explainer is part of a "Top 10 Things Every Voter Should Know About Money-in-Politics" slideshow.
The League of Women Voters believes that elections should be about voters and not big money interests. It is way past time to limit Super-Pacs and secret donors to protect representative democracy.
Want a short civics explainer on where candidates tend to get money? According to OpenSecrets.org, there are four main sources: political action committees (PACs), large individual donors, small donors, and self-funding candidates. This explainer is part of a "Top 10 Things Every Voter Should Know About Money-in-Politics" slideshow.
The League of Women Voters believes that elections should be about voters and not big money interests. It is way past time to limit Super-Pacs and secret donors to protect representative democracy.