February 18, 2025
Campaign Contribution
Limits Review
Background
Campaign Activity
Background
• 2005: the City Council added Chapter 2.80 to the San Mateo Municipal Code entitled “Contributions and Loans to City Candidate Campaigns.” • Limited the amount of the contributions that may be made to City Council candidate campaigns to $250 by an individual and $500 by an organization, as well as limiting the amount a candidate can loan to their own campaign to $15,000.
• 2017, the City Council amended the limits by increasing the amount an individual can give to $500 and an organization to $1,000.
Transparency
Options to
Consider
Analysis
Background
Campaign Activity
Background
• City Council must conduct a post-election review of the requirements of this chapter no later than three (3) months following the certification of the results of the election.
• For the purpose of allowing the City Council to consider the ongoing appropriateness of the provisions of this chapter, including, but not limited to the amount of the contribution loan limits established in Sections 2.80.030 and 2.80.040.
• The City Council certified the results of the November 5, 2024 election with Resolution 110 (2024) on December 9, 2024.
Options to
Consider
Staff
Recommendation
Transparency
Background
Campaign Activity
Campaign Finance Activity
Transparency
Options to
Consider
Analysis
2017 2020 2022 2024
Number of Candidates in Contest 7 3 7 3
Contributions - Total Raised * $191,910 $263,562 $199,036 $146,767 Contributions - Largest Total Amount ** $56,332 $118,759 $76,282 $82,801 Contributions - Smallest Total Amount ** $0 $69,876 $1,849 $20,909 Loan - Largest Amount ** $6,500 $0 $1,500 $5,000
Independent Expenditures – Total * $79,710 $74,036 $35,915 $7,468 Independent Expenditures - Largest
Total Amount ** $70,468 $30,570 $11,233 $7,468
Independent Expenditures – Smallest
Total Amount ** $9,242 $14,767 $4,154 $0
In-Kind Donations – Total * $3,185 $13,951 $1,207 $35
In-Kind Donations - Largest Total
Amount** $1,485 $6,890 $927 $35
In-Kind Donation - Smallest Total
Amount** $500 $400 $140 $0
* Total of all candidates.
** By a single candidate.
Background
Campaign Activity
Campaign Finance Activity
Transparency
Options to
Consider
Analysis
2017 2020 2022 2024
Average Raised per candidate $27,416 $87,854 $28,434 $48,922 Average Independent Expenditure per
candidate $11,387 $24,679 $5,131 $2,489.25
Average In-Kind per candidate $455 $4,650 $172 $11.67
Background
Campaign Activity
Campaign Finance Activity
Transparency
Options to
Consider
Analysis
District District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 Council Member Diaz Nash Fernandez Newsom Cwirko-
Godycki Loraine
Contributions Raised $76,282 $82,801 $25,235 $43,057 $31,430 Expenditures $56,685 $79,33.12 $17,433 $38,429 $30,494
• This marks the first post-election analysis after the full transition to district-based elections.
• Shift from citywide to district-based elections has influenced fundraising patterns.
Background
Campaign Activity
Campaign Finance Dashboard
Transparency
Options to
Consider
Analysis
• March 1st, 2021 post-election review – staff directed to develop campaign finance dashboard.
• Campaign Finance Dashboard launched the November 8, 2022, General Election.
• The City’s Campaign Finance Dashboard is the only campaign disclosure dashboard available within the County of San Mateo. • Staff received assistance from the San Francisco Ethics Commission, the Oakland Ethics Commission, NetFile, MapLight and others • Dashboard provides a service to voters to increase transparency for campaign finance.
• Implementation of NetFile API to include all data sources as they become available.
Background
Campaign Activity
Campaign Finance Dashboard
Transparency
Options to
Consider
Analysis
Background
Campaign Activity
Transparency
Options to
Consider
Analysis
Statewide Analysis
Current (2025) Statewide Campaign Contribution Default Limits:
• California Municipal Campaign Finance Index (MCFI) 2024 report provides a comprehensive analysis of municipal campaign finance regulations across the state.
• According to MCFI, as of 2022, 124 of California’s 482 cities—representing 44% of the state’s population—had self-imposed contribution limits lower than the AB 571 limit, which was $4,900 at the time.
• Among these 124 cities, which have an average population of approximately 140,000, the average contribution limit was $711.
Candidate or
Officeholder
Person (individual,
business entity,
committee/PAC)
Small Contributor
Committee
Political Party
City and County
Candidates subject to
Section 85301 (d)
$5,900 $5,900 $5,900
Background
Campaign Activity
Transparency
Options to
Consider
Analysis
Using MCFI data 8 key findings on five-member by-district City Councils, including an overview of their existing campaign finance regulations:
• Finding 1. 22 (81.5%) of the 27 cities have individual donor limits • Finding 2. $1,233.18 is the average self-imposed donor limit among the 22 cities with individual donor limits
• Finding 3. For cities with a comparable population size to San Mateo (within 20% of its population), the average donor limit per individual is $768. • Finding 4. 2 (7.4%) of the 27 cities, including San Mateo, have different contributions based on the type of giver (i.e. individual or organization) .
• Finding 5. 12 (44.4%) of cities adjust limits to inflation. • Finding 6. 9 (33.3%) of cities limit loans on candidate campaigns. • Finding 7. 3 (11.1%) of the cities have voluntary expenditure limits. • Finding 8. None of the 27 cities have public financing.
Municipal Campaign Finance Index Analysis
Background
Campaign Activity
Transparency
Options to
Consider
Analysis
1. Alignment of Contribution Limits for Individuals and Organizations:
Currently, San Mateo sets a $500 contribution limit for individuals and a $1,000 limit for organizations. To ensure consistency, staff recommends aligning these limits.
2. Adjustment of Contribution:
Research indicates that San Mateo’s contribution limits are lower than those of comparable cities (including, for example, Redwood City which has a $1,000 contribution limit). Should the individual contribution limit should be increased from $500 to $750, $1,000, or another amount to remain consistent with peer jurisdictions?
3. Review Process for Contribution Limits:
Contribution limits are reviewed only after each election. Should staff continue this approach or adopt an automatic adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for more consistent updates? Background
Campaign Activity
Transparency
Options to
Consider
Analysis
Options for Council Consideration – Feedback
4. Voluntary Expenditure Limits:
Staff will proceed with the next scheduled adjustment to the Voluntary Expenditure Limits in 2026, as outlined in the ordinance. However, staff welcomes feedback on the initial rollout of the program to assess its effectiveness and consider any potential refinements.
5. Campaign Finance Transparency:
Staff have successfully operationalized the Campaign Finance Dashboard and has received positive feedback from California Common Cause and other agencies. Moving forward, staff plan to enhance the tool further, including increasing public awareness of the dashboard. Staff welcomes input and feedback on its functionality and potential improvements in campaign finance transparency.