Candidates and Campaign Committees

Candidates for local elective office, and campaign committees that support or oppose such candidates, are subject to both state and local campaign finance laws. The Ethics Commission has jurisdiction over local campaign finance laws, also referred to as the Election Campaign Control Ordinance, or "ECCO." Local campaign finance laws are more restrictive than those at the state, and include campaign contribution limits and disclosure requirements not found in state law. This portion of the Ethics Commission's website contains links to ECCO and to a number of Fact Sheets that discuss, in plain language, many of the provisions of ECCO.

If you have questions regarding when to file campaign statements, contact the City Clerk. If you have questions regarding what to disclose on those statements, contact the Ethics Commission.

State campaign laws are enforced by the Fair Political Practices Commission [FPPC], which has issued a candidate manual (PDF: 1Mb) for elections in local jurisdictions. The Ethics Commission has prepared a candidate manual (see link below) specifically designed for City of San Diego candidates, and is intended to supplement the state's manual.

For questions regarding how to become a candidate or when to file campaign statements, please contact the City Clerk's office.

Relevant Documents

• San Diego Campaign Laws (ECCO)(PDF: 110K)
• Ethics Commission 2008 Candidate Manual (PDF: 414K)
• Campaign Fact Sheets
• Candidate Checklist (PDF: 67K)

2007-2008 Review of City's Campaign Finance Laws

• Proposed Amendments to ECCO: Legal Defense Fund Provisions (August 6, 2008) (PDF: 63K)
• Executive Director Memo to Ethics Commission (July 1, 2008) (PDF: 34K)
• Proposed Amendments to ECCO: Legal Defense Fund Provisions (June 27, 2008) (PDF: 64K)
• Proposed Amendments to ECCO: Telephone Communications (June 23, 2008) (PDF: 29K)
• Proposed Amendments to ECCO: Additional Pre-Election Report (June 19, 2008) (PDF: 33K)
• Executive Director Memo to the Rules Committee (May 30, 2008) (PDF: 76K)
• Proposed Amendments to the Election Campaign Control Ordinance (May 9, 2008) (PDF: 79K)
• Proposed Amendment: Campaign Fundraising Activity (Lobbying Ordinance)(May 9, 2008) (PDF: 21K)
• Executive Director Memo to Ethics Commission (February 6, 2008) (PDF: 54K)
• Executive Director Memo to Ethics Commission (October 11, 2007) (PDF: 35K)

Latest Revisions to the Election Campaign Control Ordinance

• ECCO Amendments Effective December 8, 2007 (PDF: 142K)
• ECCO Amendments Effective January 11, 2006 (PDF: 115K)

Forms

• Form EC-702 Legal Defense Fund Statement of Purpose (PDF: 32K)
• Form EC:LDF-DPM Legal Defense Fund Disclosure of Pending Matters (PDF: 30K)
• Form EC-703 Electioneering Communication Disclosure Report (PDF: 356K)