November 14, 2016 •
Berkeley, CA Passes Ballot Measure to Create Public Campaign Finance System
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 […]
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.
November 9, 2016 •
Special Election for Alabama House District 67
A special primary election in Alabama will be held to fill Darrio Melton’s vacant seat in the House of Representatives for District 67. The vacancy is a result of Melton’s successful bid to be the mayor of Selma. The special […]
A special primary election in Alabama will be held to fill Darrio Melton’s vacant seat in the House of Representatives for District 67.
The vacancy is a result of Melton’s successful bid to be the mayor of Selma.
The special primary will be held January 31, 2017, and the special general will be held April 18, 2017, provided a runoff is not required.
November 9, 2016 •
San Francisco Passes Ballot Issue Restricting Gifts and Contributions from Lobbyists
Voters in San Francisco overwhelmingly passed a city ballot initiative restricting lobbyist gifts and campaign contributions. Local Ballot Measure T, passed with over 87 percent support, prohibits lobbyists from making any gift to a city officer, regardless of value, prohibits […]
Voters in San Francisco overwhelmingly passed a city ballot initiative restricting lobbyist gifts and campaign contributions.
Local Ballot Measure T, passed with over 87 percent support, prohibits lobbyists from making any gift to a city officer, regardless of value, prohibits lobbyists from using a third-party to circumvent this restriction, and prohibits city officers from accepting or soliciting such gifts. The gift restriction specifically includes any gift of travel. The measure defines “Gift of travel” as payment, advance, or reimbursement for travel, including transportation, lodging, and food and refreshments connected with the travel.
The measure also requires lobbyists to identify which city agencies they intend to influence and imposes a duty on local lobbyists to amend and update their registration information and monthly reports within five days of any changed circumstances.
The initiative also prohibits a lobbyist from making contributions to or bundling contributions for city elected officials or candidates for city elective offices if the lobbyist had been registered to lobby the officials’ agencies within 90 days of the date any contribution is made.
The changes to the city’s lobbying laws becomes effective January 1, 2018.
November 9, 2016 •
Ann Arbor, MI Increases Mayor and City Council Term Limits
Ann Arbor voters approved a ballot measure to increase terms for mayor and city council to four years (Proposal 1). The ballot proposal will have the mayor and five city council seats elected in even-numbered years coinciding with Michigan gubernatorial […]
Ann Arbor voters approved a ballot measure to increase terms for mayor and city council to four years (Proposal 1). The ballot proposal will have the mayor and five city council seats elected in even-numbered years coinciding with Michigan gubernatorial elections and the other five city council seats will be elected in even-numbered years coinciding with presidential elections.
Previously, half of the city council was elected on odd-numbered years.
The proposal will begin with 2018 elections and city council members elected in 2017 will serve a three-year term.
November 9, 2016 •
Carney is Delaware’s Governor-Elect
Democrat John Carney, Jr. defeated Republican Colin Bonini to become the new governor of Delaware. Carney has served as Delaware’s lone U.S. representative since 2011. Before Carney’s terms in Congress, he served two terms as Delaware’s lieutenant governor. Photo of […]
Democrat John Carney, Jr. defeated Republican Colin Bonini to become the new governor of Delaware. Carney has served as Delaware’s lone U.S. representative since 2011.
Before Carney’s terms in Congress, he served two terms as Delaware’s lieutenant governor.
Photo of John Carney, Jr. courtesy of United States Congress on Wikimedia Commons.
November 9, 2016 •
Multnomah County, OR Campaign Finance Measure Passes
Campaign finance ballot measure 26-184 passed on November 8 with an 88 percent to 11 percent tally. The measure seeks to limit campaign expenditures and contributions and promote transparency by requiring heightened advertisement funding disclosures. Measure 26-148 prohibits candidates from […]
Campaign finance ballot measure 26-184 passed on November 8 with an 88 percent to 11 percent tally. The measure seeks to limit campaign expenditures and contributions and promote transparency by requiring heightened advertisement funding disclosures.
Measure 26-148 prohibits candidates from receiving more than $500 from any individual or political committee per election cycle and puts an independent expenditure cap at $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for political committees per county candidate race. This ballot measure comes as a response to the recent increase in big money spending in Multnomah County elections.
Oregon is one of only six states in the country with no campaign contribution limits. The measure is set to be implemented by county ordinance no later than September 1, 2017.
November 9, 2016 •
Holcomb Wins Indiana
Republican Eric Holcomb defeated Democrat John R. Gregg to become the new governor of Indiana. Holcomb, currently serving as the Lt. Gov., replaced Vice President-elect Mike Pence as the Republican gubernatorial nominee on July 27, 2016. Additionally, Indiana voters approved […]
Republican Eric Holcomb defeated Democrat John R. Gregg to become the new governor of Indiana. Holcomb, currently serving as the Lt. Gov., replaced Vice President-elect Mike Pence as the Republican gubernatorial nominee on July 27, 2016.
Additionally, Indiana voters approved the only ballot measure on the November ballot. Public Question 1, also known as the Right to Hunt and Fish Amendment, made it a constitutional right to hunt and fish. Indiana is the 20th state to establish hunting and fishing as a constitutional right.
November 9, 2016 •
Alabama Requires Supermajority Vote to Impeach
Voters approved Amendment 6, also known as the Alabama Impeachment Amendment. Effective January 1, 2017, the Constitution of Alabama will require a supermajority, or two-thirds, vote of state senators present to convict and impeach a state official. The current impeachment […]
Voters approved Amendment 6, also known as the Alabama Impeachment Amendment. Effective January 1, 2017, the Constitution of Alabama will require a supermajority, or two-thirds, vote of state senators present to convict and impeach a state official.
The current impeachment article did not specify how many state senators would be required for impeachment.
November 9, 2016 •
NH Elects Sununu as Governor
On November 8, Republican Christopher T. Sununu defeated Democratic candidate Colin Van Ostern to become the next governor of New Hampshire. With 97 percent of the precincts reporting, Sununu triumphed over Van Ostern with a vote of 49 to 47 […]
On November 8, Republican Christopher T. Sununu defeated Democratic candidate Colin Van Ostern to become the next governor of New Hampshire. With 97 percent of the precincts reporting, Sununu triumphed over Van Ostern with a vote of 49 to 47 percent.
Sununu is a son of former New Hampshire Gov. John H. Sununu and a brother of John E. Sununu, a past U.S. Senator from the state. The last Republican governor of New Hampshire was Craig Benson, who was last elected in 2002.
Photo of Christopher Sununu by Csununu on Wikimedia Commons.
November 9, 2016 •
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert Re-elected for Third Term
On November 8, incumbent Republican Gov. Gary Herbert won his third election as Utah governor defeating Democratic challenger Mike Weinholtz 73.9 percent to 22.1 percent. Herbert first became governor in 2009 when then-governor John Huntsman became the American ambassador to […]
On November 8, incumbent Republican Gov. Gary Herbert won his third election as Utah governor defeating Democratic challenger Mike Weinholtz 73.9 percent to 22.1 percent.
Herbert first became governor in 2009 when then-governor John Huntsman became the American ambassador to Singapore. Herbert was then elected in a special election in 2010, and again in the general election in 2012.
Utah, a Republican stronghold state, has not elected a Democratic governor in over 20 years.
Photo of Gov. Gary Herbert by 32ATPs on Wikimedia Commons.
November 9, 2016 •
Anne Arundel County, Maryland Keeps Competitive Bidding Amount
Residents voted against an amendment to the Anne Arundel County Charter (Question C). If passed, the ballot issue would have raised the current dollar amount of bids requiring competitive procurement for most procurement contracts from $25,000 to $75,000. Bids under […]
Residents voted against an amendment to the Anne Arundel County Charter (Question C).
If passed, the ballot issue would have raised the current dollar amount of bids requiring competitive procurement for most procurement contracts from $25,000 to $75,000.
Bids under $75,000 would not be required to go through full competitive bidding.
November 9, 2016 •
Lieutenant Governor Wins Vermont Gubernatorial Race
Voters will be sending a familiar face back to Montpelier as current Lt. Gov. Phil Scott won the Vermont gubernatorial race. Scott, a Republican, will replace Democratic Gov. Peter Shumlin, who declined to run for a fourth two-year term. Scott […]
Voters will be sending a familiar face back to Montpelier as current Lt. Gov. Phil Scott won the Vermont gubernatorial race. Scott, a Republican, will replace Democratic Gov. Peter Shumlin, who declined to run for a fourth two-year term.
Scott will be the only Republican serving in statewide office. The race attracted more campaign spending than ever before, reaching $12 million thanks to PACs looking to influence the election.
Photo of Lt. Gov. Phil Scott by Phil Scott for Vermont campaign on Wikimedia Commons.
November 9, 2016 •
Washington Voters Say No to State Campaign Finance Reform, But Want Congress To Amend the Constitution
Despite strong support from democrats, Washington voters did not back Initiative 1464. The measure would have required new campaign finance disclosures, limited contributions by lobbyists and government contractors, and imposed a three-year waiting period on lobbying by former public officials […]
Despite strong support from democrats, Washington voters did not back Initiative 1464. The measure would have required new campaign finance disclosures, limited contributions by lobbyists and government contractors, and imposed a three-year waiting period on lobbying by former public officials and senior staff.
On the other hand, Initiative 735 was approved by 63.84% of voters. The measure will urge the state congressional delegation to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution regarding campaign financing. The measure also requests the state to ratify the constitutional amendment once passed by Congress.
November 9, 2016 •
Rhode Island Ethics Commission Constitutional Amendment Passes
On November 8, Rhode Island voters approved a constitutional amendment giving the Ethics Commission the ability to investigate and prosecute state lawmakers for ethics violations. Question 2, the Rhode Island Ethics Commission Amendment is aimed at deterring unethical behavior in […]
On November 8, Rhode Island voters approved a constitutional amendment giving the Ethics Commission the ability to investigate and prosecute state lawmakers for ethics violations. Question 2, the Rhode Island Ethics Commission Amendment is aimed at deterring unethical behavior in the Legislature and will go into effect January 3, 2017. The amendment requires lawmakers to disclose potential conflicts and tightens rules regarding formal ethics complaints.
The Rhode Island Ethics Commission previously oversaw issues of misconduct in the General Assembly, but lost the authority in a 2009 court ruling.
The constitutional amendment passed 77.7 percent to 22.3 percent with 98 percent of precincts reporting.
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