Campaign Statements
The City Clerk is the Campaign Filing Officer for the City of San Rafael, which means it is our responsibility to supply current forms and manuals to filers, obtain revised forms and manuals, determine that all required statements have been filed, provide public access and reproduction charges, and notify non-filers of their requirement to file statements. All of these obligations are required in the Political Reform Act.
The Political Reform Act requires candidates and committees to file campaign statements and reports so that voters are fully informed about contributions and expenditures in the elections. This information is reported on forms that are approved by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) is a non-partisan commission that has primary responsibility for the impartial and effective administration of the Political Reform Act. The Act regulates campaign financing, conflicts of interest, lobbying, and governmental ethics. The Commission’s objectives are to ensure that public officials act in a fair and unbiased manner in the governmental decision-making process, to promote transparency in government, and to foster public trust in the political system.
Independent Expenditures
An independent expenditure is an expenditure made in connection with a communication (e.g., a billboard, advertisement, mailing) that expressly advocates the nomination, election, or defeat of a clearly identified candidate or the qualification, passage, or defeat of a clearly identified measure. An independent expenditure is a payment that is not made to—or at the behest of—the affected candidate or committee. For more information, also visit the California Fair Political Practices Commission.