League of Women VotersLocal Election Finance Study II
League of Women Voters - Southwest Santa Clara Valley
Serving the communities of Campbell, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, & Saratoga
Study Committee
Tom Picraux*, Danice Picraux*, Eleanor Yick, Corrine Vita, Meg Giberson, Alan Giberson
* Co-chairs
A copy of the study may be found at:
my.lwv.org/california/southwest-santa-clara-valley/local-state-and-national-studies
February 4, 2020 Los Gatos Town Council
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The League of Women Voters
As a nonpartisan political organization we promote democracy by:
Encouraging participation in government
Educating voters
Advocating issues—but only after study & consensus on the issue
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100 Years of Advocacy – Making Democracy Work
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Local Election Finance Study II
What it does:
Analyzes local city council and school board elections
Examines local election regulations, financing & reporting
Compares practices to other cities
Presents findings and promotes best practices
Purpose
Promote participation & transparency in local elections
for both voters and candidates
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100 Years of Advocacy – Making Democracy Work
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Local Election Finance Study II
Enhanced Election and Voter Information web page - information & links
- Including detailed Candidate Guide for 2018 Election
Posting candidate election contribution and expenditure reports on web
(Forms 460, 470, 497)
e,g. - Total contributions received
- Individual contributions including:
date, amount, contributor, occupation/employer, address
Best Practices adopted by Los Gatos since 2016 election:
For considering and discussing the merits of term limits to encourage new candidates and ideas.
We also commend the Los Gatos Town Council:
100 Years of Advocacy – Making Democracy Work
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Consider findings identified as Best Practices
Covering a portion of the cost (currently about $1,500) of the candidate statement for the Voter Information Pamphlet.
- e.g., Campbell charges the candidate $300 and pays the balance
Consider the merits of contribution limits and/or voluntary campaign spending limits
- e.g., Mountain View - If $25,539 VEL accepted city pays balance of candidate statement above $500.
San Jose, Santa Clara, Milpitas, Gilroy impose contribution limits ($290 – 750)
Continue to enhance your website for well-organized, relevant election information
- e.g., - Post candidate statement, contact information, & web page link;
link to upcoming candidate forums;
link to LWV Voters Edge info on candidates
Encourage greater election participation and transparency by --
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100 Years of Advocacy – Making Democracy Work
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