LEFSII_for Los Gatos CouncilLocal 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
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
2 100 Years of Advocacy – Making Democracy Work
Local Election Finance Study II
• What it does:
Ø Analyzes local city council and school board elections
Ø Examines local election regulations, financing & reporting
Ø Compares practices to other cities
Ø Presents findings and promotes best practices
• Purpose
Promote participation & transparency in local elections
for both voters and candidates
3 100 Years of Advocacy – Making Democracy Work
4
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
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 --
5 100 Years of Advocacy – Making Democracy Work