Follow the Money:
Alameda Campaign Finance Reports
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.
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 that we post for upcoming elections 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. Democracy is messy and difficult, but in the end it’s the informed voter that makes it work well. You can email us at info@lwvalameda.org with questions or feedback.
Find more resources about money in politics here.
2024 General Election Charts & Tables
The below charts and graphs are for the November 5, 2024 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.
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Understanding the Charts/Tables (updated: 2/13/2025)
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General Election Charts & Tables (updated: 6/24/2025)
Where Do Candidates Get Money?
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.
Curated News About Money in Politics
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Newsom is fined $13K for delayed reports of payments made at his request (11/10/2024)
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Mark Farrell Hit Ethics Fine Eve of Mayor Election (11/04/2024)
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The 49ers spend $2.4M on political ads to keep control of Santa Clara City Council (10/30/2024)
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Bravo for Alameda City Council Reducing Ballot Statement Fees (04/19/2024)
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Here's how much money candidates in key California and Bay Area races have raised (03/05/2024)
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State senate race sees arrival of big-time IE spending (02/09/2024)