Campaign Activity
Restrictions
Purpose of Campaign Regulations
US Supreme Court
Striking a Balance Between the Personal Rights of City
Officials and the Interests of Voters and Taxpayers who are entitled to a fair election process free of the undue influence when public positions are used as “bully
pulpits.”
May Not Use Public Funds or Public
Resources for Campaign Purposes
Government Code § 54964
EXAMPLES
Copy Machines
Faxes
Computers
Printers
Other Office Equipment
Prohibited From Using To Design, Make, Or Distribute Political Pamphlets, Flyers, Signs, Or Other Materials
May Not Use Public Funds or Public
Resources for Campaign Purposes
Government Code § 54964
EXAMPLES
CITY TELEPHONES/CITY E-MAIL
Prohibited from Making Political Cold Calls for Candidates Prohibited from Calling any Organizations on Behalf of Candidates Prohibited from Communicating Personal Views about Candidates Prohibited from Sending or Receiving Messages Related to Candidates
May Not Use Public Funds or Public
Resources for Campaign Purposes
Government Code § 54964
EXAMPLES
OFFICE SPACE
Prohibited from Using City Office or City Workspace to Engage in Campaign Activities Holding Campaign Meetings
Organizing Campaign Events
Preparing Campaign Ads
May Not Use Public Funds or Public
Resources for Campaign Purposes
Government Code § 54964
EXAMPLES
OFFICE SUPPLIES
Prohibited from Using or Taking Away City Office Supplies in Support of Candidates.
Printer Paper
Binders
Staplers
Pens & Paper Clips
May Not Use Public Funds or Public
Resources for Campaign Purposes
Government Code § 54964
EXAMPLES
CITY WEBSITE & CITY SOCIAL MEDIA
Prohibited From Using City Website or City Social Media Accounts for Campaign-Related Purposes Statements Supporting or Opposing Candidates
Requesting/Soliciting Campaign Funds
Referencing a Candidate's Campaign Schedule or Activities
May Not Use Public Funds or Public
Resources for Campaign Purposes
Government Code § 54964
EXAMPLES
Staff Time
Prohibited From Using City Staff for Campaign-Related Purposes Maintaining a Calendar of Candidate’s Events
Attending Campaign Events
Performing Campaign-Related Work
Employee Uniforms
Government Code § 3206
Employees who wear a City uniform may not participate in any political activity while in uniform - even when off duty.
Examples of Uniformed Employees
Fire, Police, Code Compliance, Animal Control, and Public Works Crews
Solicitating Campaign Contributions
Government Code § 3206
Prohibited from knowingly, directly or indirectly, soliciting a campaign contribution from any City employee.
Examples
ADDRESS LIST: May not obtain a list of City employees’ names and addresses for campaign purposes.
DIRECT SOLICITATION: May not ask (whether in person, by writing, or by e- mail) a City employee to contribute or donate any money or time to a candidate’s campaign.
Examples
MASS MAILINGS: May not intentionally include specific City employees on a list that will be used to solicit campaign contributions.
PHONE BANKS: May not knowingly call or instruct someone else to call specific City employees for campaign contributions.
Solicitating Campaign Contributions
Government Code § 3206
Using Position to Influence
Government Code § 3206. 19 Government Code § 3205(a).
Prohibits use of official position to persuade or induce any City employee to take any political action.
Examples
VOTING: May not urge, encourage, or threaten a City employee to vote or refrain from voting for a particular candidate.
Prohibits use of official position to persuade or induce any City employee to take any political action.
Examples
CONTRIBUTING: May not urge, encourage, or threaten a City employee to contribute to a particular candidate.
CAMPAIGNING: May not urge, encourage, or threaten a City employee to campaign, or participate in a campaign, for or against, a candidate.
Using Position to Influence
Government Code § 3206. 19 Government Code § 3205(a)
Making Promises
Government Code §§ 3204 & 3205.5; Elections Code § 18520 Prohibited from promising to provide a City employee with a gift, money, promotion, job, or other form of compensation in return for a contribution or vote.
Examples
HIRING: May not promise to hire or appoint any person for a City position in return for a contribution or vote for or against any candidate or ballot measure.
SALARIES: May not promise to increase the pay rate, salary, or benefits of any City employee in return for a contribution or vote for or against any candidate
Examples
GIFTS: Prohibited from promising to provide any person with money, a loan, or any type of gift in return for a contribution or vote for or against any candidate.
PARTIES: Prohibited from promising a City employee to hold a party, dinner, or other celebration in exchange for the employee’s contribution or vote for or against any candidate.
Making Promises
Government Code §§ 3204 & 3205.5; Elections Code § 18520 The City is prohibited from sending out certain information within 60 days of an election regarding any candidate whose name will appear on the ballot at that election.
Letters: A mailing in which the candidate’s name appears in on City letterhead, City envelopes, City stationery, forms, and City envelopes.
Roster Listing: A mailing of a roster listing containing the name of the candidate, even though all council names appear in the roster.
Photograph: A mailing of a photo of a candidate.
Mass Mailings
Within 60 Days of Election
Government Code Section 89003
The City is prohibited from sending out certain information within 60 days of an election regarding any candidate whose name will appear on the ballot at that election.
Signature: A mailing of any item containing the candidate’s signature.
Reference: A mailing of any item that makes any reference to the candidate.
Meeting Announcements: A mailing of any public meeting announcements sent to the candidate’s constituents that contain the candidate’s photo, signature or any reference to the candidate.
Event Announcements: An announcement of any official City event that involves the use of a City facility, City staff or City financial support that includes the candidate’s photo, signature or any reference to the candidate.
Business Cards: Business cards that contain the candidate’s photo or any mention of the candidate's officer’s name.
Mass Mailings
Within 60 Days of Election
Government Code Section 89003
The City is prohibited from sending out certain information within 60 days of an election regarding any candidate whose name will appear on the ballot at that election.
Event Announcements: An announcement of any official City event that involves the use of a City facility, City staff or City financial support that includes the candidate’s photo, signature or any reference to the candidate.
Business Cards: Business cards that contain the candidate’s photo or any mention of the candidate's officer’s name.
Mass Mailings
Within 60 Days of Election
Government Code Section 89003
Where can I distribute campaign material?
Better Question
Where can’t I distribute campaign materials?
Public Forum Analysis
Depends on Purpose of the Forum?
City Hall (Inside) – NO
Purpose of City Hall is to Conduct City Business.
Public Forum Analysis
Public Forum Analysis
Depends on Purpose of the Forum?
Other City Facilities – NO
Purpose of Amphitheater is for Public Entertainment
Purpose of Libraries is for a Quiet Place for the Public to Engage in Library Activities Purpose of Civic Center Parking Lot is for the Parking and Movement of Vehicles Purpose of Recreational Facilities are for Recreation
Then Where?
Public Sidewalks
Public Walkways to City Facilities
Caveat
MAY NOT IMPEDE FREE MOVEMENT OF PEDESTRIANS
MAY NOT CREATE ANY TRAFFIC SAFETY HAZARDS
MAY NOT DAMAGE PUBLIC PROPERTY
MAY NOT LITTER
Public Forum Analysis
May not affix campaign sign to the following:
City Buildings
City Walls and Fences
City Signs
City Fixtures and Equipment
City Benches and Tables
City Public Restrooms
City Vehicles
Other Public Property
Campaign Signs Law
1. FIRST AMENDMENT
2. COURTS INTERPRET THE LAW
3. CONTENT NEUTRAL
4. TIME, PLACE & MANNER REGULATIONS
Are political campaign signs regulated in the City of Moreno Valley? Political campaign signs are regulated in the City as “temporary signs,” consistent with the most current opinions of the United States Supreme Court regarding the regulation of signs by local government.
Do I need a permit to post, install or display temporary signs related to a political campaign? No permits are required to post, install or display temporary signs related to a political campaign unless the physical structure of the sign requires a building permit.
Do I have to register any information with the City before I start posting, installing or displaying temporary signs related to a political campaign?
There is no registration requirement, but it is highly recommended that you contact the Community Enhancement Division at 951.413.3340 to identify the individual to contact in the event the City needs to inform your campaign of any illegally placed signs that can be retrieved from the City before the City disposes of them.
Campaign Signs
Moreno Valley Municipal Code -
“Temporary Signs”
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When may I post, install or display temporary signs related to a political campaign? • The former restriction that prohibited campaign signs from being posted more than 90 days prior to an election have been invalidated as unconstitutional.
When must I remove a temporary sign related to a political campaign? • All temporary signs related to a political campaign must be taken down or removed no later than 10 days after the election, which is November 13, 2026, for the November 3, 2026, General Election.
May I post, install or display temporary signs related to a political campaign on private property? • Temporary signs related to a political campaign may be posted, installed or displayed on private property only with the consent of the property owner, lessee, or person in lawful possession of the property.
Campaign Signs
- Moreno Valley Municipal Code -
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
May I post, install or display temporary signs related to a political campaign on public property? Temporary signs related to a political campaign may not be posted, installed, or displayed on any of the following:
• Publicly owned buildings, structures, trees, or shrubs • Portions of public streets or highway rights-of-way used for traffic or parking purposes • Medians separating opposite vehicular traffic on any public streets or other public rights-of-way Temporary signs related to a political campaign may not be placed in any manner that:
• Mars, defaces, disfigures or damages any public building, structure or other property • Endangers the safety of persons or property
• Obscures the view of any fire hydrant, traffic sign, traffic signal, street sign or public informational sign • Blocks lines of sight to areas of vehicular or pedestrian traffic Campaign Signs
- Moreno Valley Municipal Code -
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What about issues regarding size and placement?
• No single sign face area shall exceed 32 square feet
• No freestanding sign shall exceed six feet in height. • No single lot may have a total number of signs exceeding 80 square feet. • No window signs shall cover more than 25 percent of the “clear sight” window area and they must be placed between four and seven feet above the finished floor level. • No banner sign shall be placed lower than eight feet above any walkway below. • No canopy sign shall be placed lower than eight feet above any walkway below.
May lights be used to illuminate a temporary sign related to a political campaign? • No temporary sign related to a political campaign shall be artificially lighted.
Campaign Signs
- Moreno Valley Municipal Code -
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What happens if I violate any of these sign regulations? • Notice of Violation
• On private property - Five day to remove
• On public property – Removed immediately if constitutes an immediate danger to the safety of person or property
May I retrieve any removed signs?
• Any removed signs will be held for no longer than 30 days for retrieval by the owner.
Who do I call to retrieve any signs the City may have removed? • Contact Community Enhancement Division at 951.413.3340.
Campaign Signs
- Moreno Valley Municipal Code -
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
APPLICANTS
Requires Applicants for Licenses, Permits, and Other Entitlements (Including Most Contracts) to Disclose any Campaign Contribution Exceeding $500 that the Applicant Made to a Member of the City Council Within the Prior 12 months.
Prohibits Applicants from Making a Contribution Exceeding $500 During a Proceeding and for 12 months Following the Final Decision of the Proceeding.
Prohibits Participants and Agents from Making any Contributions During a Proceeding and for 12 months Following the Final Decision of the Proceeding.
Levine Act
- California Government Code Section 84308 -
Exempt Contracts
Contracts valued under $50,000
Competitively bid contracts
Labor and personal employment contracts
Contracts where no party receives financial compensation Contracts between two or more government agencies;
Periodic reviews and renewals of Development Agreements Levine Act
- California Government Code Section 84308 -
d\
City Council Members
Council Member must Recuse Him/Herself from any proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement (including most contracts) if the “applicant” or “applicant’s representative” in the proceeding has made a campaign contribution of more than $500 within the preceding 12 months to the Council Member.
• Disclosure Requirement
Must publicly disclose the contribution for the record of the proceeding. • Curing Situation
• Return the contribution within 30 days of receiving the contribution Levine Act
- California Government Code Section 84308 -
Levine Act
- California Government Code Section 84308 -
City Council Members
Council Member must Recuse Him/Herself from any proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement (including most contracts) if the Council Member received a campaign contribution from a “PARTICIPANT” of more than $500 within the preceding 12 months and the Council Member knows the Participant has a financial interest in the outcome of the proceedings. • Disclosure Requirement
Must publicly disclose the contribution for the record of the proceeding. • Curing Situation
• Return the contribution within 30 days of receiving the contribution City Council Members
Council Member is prohibited from soliciting, directing or accepting a campaign contribution from an applicant or applicant’s representatives of more than $500 during a proceeding involving the applicant or within 12 months after the proceeding.
Curing Situation: Return the portion of the contribution in excess of five hundred dollars ($500), within 30 days of accepting, soliciting, or directing the contribution, whichever comes latest.
Levine Act
- California Government Code Section 84308 -
DEFINITIONS
Participant: Any person who is not a party (“applicant”) but who actively supports or opposes a particular decision in a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement (including most contracts) and who has a financial interest in the decision.
A person actively supports or opposes a particular decision in a proceeding if that person lobbies in person the officers or employees of the agency, testifies in person before the agency, or otherwise acts to influence officers of the agency.
Levine Act
- California Government Code Section 84308 -
DEFINITIONS
Participant’s Financial Interest
Business: Impact of any business entity in which the participant has a direct or indirect investment worth two thousand dollars ($2,000) or more or any business entity in which the participant is a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, or holds any position of management.
Real Property: Impact on any real property in which the participant has a direct or indirect interest worth two thousand dollars ($2,000) or more.
Levine Act
- California Government Code Section 84308 -
DEFINITIONS
Participant’s Financial Interest
Source of Income: Impact of any source of income received by the participant within 12 months prior to the time when the decision is made.
Gift Sources: Impact on any of the participant’s donors of, or any intermediary or agent for a donor of a gift or gifts aggregating two hundred fifty dollars ($250) or more in value provided to, received by, or promised to the public official within 12 months prior to the time when the decision is made.
Levine Act
- California Government Code Section 84308 -
CONCLUSION
Its all about protecting the taxpayers’ investment in public property and resources, respecting the rights of City staff and protecting the integrity of local elections – which all builds trust and confidence in local government.