Alameda Campaign Funding
So Voters Know Who is Funding Who & What
There are many factors to consider when making ballot choices. Understanding where candidates are getting their funding is an important part of the process. Campaign contributions are, in essence, a very concrete form of endorsement – they tell us who is most interested in seeing the candidate elected. Read our position on Alameda Campaign Finance Reform here.
The infusion of large amounts of money can distort the election process. Campaign contributions can be used to fund attack ads or to spread misleading information. Candidates or ballot measure that do not have access to these resources are at a disadvantage.
We have explored many avenues to moderate the impact of money in politics. Unfortunately, limits on contributions have been ineffective since special interests can circumvent them by funneling their contributions through Independent Expenditure Committees.
The infusion of large amounts of money can distort the election process. Campaign contributions can be used to fund attack ads or to spread misleading information. Candidates or ballot measure that do not have access to these resources are at a disadvantage.
We have explored many avenues to moderate the impact of money in politics. Unfortunately, limits on contributions have been ineffective since special interests can circumvent them by funneling their contributions through Independent Expenditure Committees.
If regulating contributions is not a solution, what is? We believe the answer is to put the responsibility for controlling campaign funding in the hands of the Alameda electorate by giving you digestible information for your decision-making. You can participate in that effort by looking at the information we are posting for the upcoming election as well as those of the past few cycles.
The State of California requires candidates to report all contributions in excess of $100 periodically prior to and after the election. The data are available from government websites but are reported in a format which is somewhat difficult to sift through. The League of Women Voters of Alameda makes this task easier for you by translating the data into easy-to-understand graphs and tables. After each filing deadline, we post them in this section of our website.
The following is regarding the November 5 general election. We tracked contributions to candidates for all contested elections: two open Alameda City Council seats, and three AUSD School Board seats. We also tracked contributions to Independent Expenditure Committees supporting or opposing any of the candidates. Here, you’ll find bar graphs that break down contributions to all candidates by where the money comes from, whether it comes from individuals or groups, and whether it comes in small or large amounts. Other tables detail the sources of all contributions to the campaigns of $1,000 or more and outstanding loans to campaigns.
Democracy is messy and difficult, but in the end it’s the informed voter that makes it work well. You can email us at [email protected] with questions or feedback.
View the LWV of Alameda election charts and tables above and below. Watch campaign finance reform and election reform videos here.
The State of California requires candidates to report all contributions in excess of $100 periodically prior to and after the election. The data are available from government websites but are reported in a format which is somewhat difficult to sift through. The League of Women Voters of Alameda makes this task easier for you by translating the data into easy-to-understand graphs and tables. After each filing deadline, we post them in this section of our website.
The following is regarding the November 5 general election. We tracked contributions to candidates for all contested elections: two open Alameda City Council seats, and three AUSD School Board seats. We also tracked contributions to Independent Expenditure Committees supporting or opposing any of the candidates. Here, you’ll find bar graphs that break down contributions to all candidates by where the money comes from, whether it comes from individuals or groups, and whether it comes in small or large amounts. Other tables detail the sources of all contributions to the campaigns of $1,000 or more and outstanding loans to campaigns.
Democracy is messy and difficult, but in the end it’s the informed voter that makes it work well. You can email us at [email protected] with questions or feedback.
View the LWV of Alameda election charts and tables above and below. Watch campaign finance reform and election reform videos here.
2024 General Election Charts & Tables
- Nov 2024 - Understanding the Charts/Tables (updated: 2/13/2025)
- Nov 2024 - General Election Charts & Tables (updated: 3/29/2025)
2024 Primary Election Charts & Tables
- Jan 2024 - Understanding Measure E Charts/Table
- Feb 2024 - Measure E Charts & Table (Updated)
2022 Election Charts & Tables
- Nov 2022 - Understanding the Charts/Tables
- Nov 2022 - City of Alameda General Election Charts & Tables (updated 2/16/2023)
2008 - 2020 Election Charts & Tables
Curated News About Money in Politics
- Newsom is fined $13K for delayed reports of payments made at his request (11/10/2024)
- Mark Farrell Hit Ethics Fine Eve of Mayor Election (11/04/2024)
- The 49ers spend $2.4M on political ads to keep control of Santa Clara City Council (10/30/2024)
- Bravo for Alameda City Council Reducing Ballot Statement Fees (04/19/2024)
- Here's how much money candidates in key California and Bay Area races have raised (03/05/2024)
- State senate race sees arrival of big-time IE spending (02/09/2024)
- If the public doesn’t finance political candidates, special interests will happily step in (04/13/23)
- Defend limits on corrosive government influence peddling (03/03/2023)
- Oakland voters approve 'Democracy Dollars' program to boost participation in city elections (12/15/2022)
- Fueled By Billionaires, Political Spending Shatters Records Again (11/03/2022)
- Oakland's election is heating up: Big spending by PACs, strategic alliances, and tweet backlash (10/26/2022)
- Campaign finance in California: See who's donating to state races (10/18/2022)
- 49ers triple political contributions, pour nearly $2.7 million into Santa Clara races (10/4/2022)
- Disclosure Clarity Act Into Law Require Disclosure of Top Funders for Political Ads (10/1/2022)
- L.A.'s police union spending big on city elections, seeking to boost City Hall influence (6/1/2022)
- Seattle democracy vouchers increase donations, number of candidates in city elections (5/26/2022)
- Outsized Role of Money in Oakland Elections (3/2/2022)
- The Little Red Boxes Making a Mockery of Campaign Finance Laws (5/16/2022)
- When big money enters the L.A. mayor's race (4/13/2022)\Small-city mayor takes on big oil and political propaganda (3/11/2022)
- Money floods the race for control of congress, more than a year early (10/16/2021)
- A dividing wedge in East Bay Assembly race (6/8/2021)
- In Naperville, campaign donations disclosed when voting on donor's issue (12/16/2020)
- NFL: 49ers' Jed York spent big to help swing local election (11/5/2020)
- How Santa Clara County's concealed-gun patronage unraveled (9/20/2020)
More on Money in Politics
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.
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.