September 25, 2015 •
Proposed Constitutional Amendment Increasing Campaign Finance Disclosure to Appear on California’s 2016 Ballot
A proposed constitutional amendment has been submitted to appear on the November 2016 ballot.
This measure, titled The Voters’ Right to Know Act, would increase campaign finance disclosure requirements and eliminate gifts to public officials from certain entities.
The act is designed to remove the “dark money” loopholes of nonprofit contributors by requiring anyone contributing $10,000 or more to be identified if that money winds up supporting a political effort. It also calls for updating and improving the electronic reporting system, clearer disclosure of contributors on television ads, and stronger penalties for violators.
The act also would ban gifts to public officials from lobbyists and lobbyist employers. The monetary limit on gifts to public officials from individuals would be lowered to $200 from the current amount of $460.
Backers of this proposition hope it will lead to greater transparency and encourage greater engagement from all voters.
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