Berkeley voters approved a measure to create a voluntary system of public financing for city elections. Measure X1 does not increase taxes, but amends the City Charter and Municipal Code to allocate $4 per Berkeley resident from the General Fund to a new Fair Elections Fund.

To be eligible for public financing, a candidate must agree to only accept individual contributions of $50 or less from Berkeley residents.

Measure X1 was made possible by the recent passage of SB 1107, which allows any state or local government in California to provide for the public funding of elections.