PDX-03 (2018) official ballot title

Caption:

Amends Charter: Limits candidate contributions, expenditures; campaign communications identify funders.

Question:

Should Portland Charter limit campaign contributions, expenditures for elected offices; require certain funding disclosures for campaign communications; allow payroll deductions?

Summary:

Measure amends charter, to be implemented by ordinance effective by September 2019.

Limits contributions received by candidates, candidate committees in city elections per election cycle to:

• No more than $500 from individual, political committee.
  
• No more than $5,000 loan balance from candidate.
• Any amount from small donor committee (defined), which may accept contributions of $100 or less per individual donor per year.
  
  

Allows candidates to receive any amount from government public campaign funding system.  Limits independent expenditures to $5,000 per individual, $10,000 per political committee, per election cycle. Unlimited independent expenditures by small donor committees.

Each communication (defined) to voters relating to a city candidate election must prominently disclose (defined) information about source of contributions, expenditures for communication.

Allows individuals to make campaign contributions by payroll deduction if private or public employer agrees or allows payroll deductions for other purposes.

Entities making independent expenditures greater than $750 must register as political committee within three days.

Fines for violations; subpoena power for, investigations by City Auditor. Definitions; other provisions.