Proposition 4
Allow public financing of political campaigns
This would authorize California’s state and local governments to establish public campaign funds for candidates if they choose to. It would reverse a 1988 ban on such systems for the state and most local governments. Currently, only five California cities have public financing for local offices, including Berkeley and San Francisco.
Weigh the arguments.
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Summary
Support
Advocates say public campaign financing helps curb the influence of private money in politics. They argue that public financing encourages candidates without significant financial backing to run and empowers small donors.
Oppose
Opponents say the measure would force taxpayers to subsidize political candidates they may not want to support and could direct funding to fraudulent candidates. That argue that it is also expensive for state and local governments to establish the system.
People and organizations
Support
- California Common Cause
- California Clean Money Campaign
- League of Women Voters
- California Democratic Party
Oppose
- California Taxpayers Association
- Reform California
Campaign finance
Proposition committees raise money to support or oppose propositions. Outside groups can also raise and spend money independently to influence outcomes.
- Proposition committees
- Outside spending
- Difference to other side
Support
Oppose
Proposition committees
These committees are primarily formed to campaign for or against a proposition. They must identify donors who give $100 or more. There are no limits on how much donors can give. Below, we exclude donors whose contributions total less than $100.
Support
Oppose
Outside spending
Separate from proposition committees, outside groups can pay for ads, mailers and other efforts to influence voters. They can’t coordinate that spending with proposition committees. There is no limit on how much they can spend.
Support
Oppose
Ballot text
REPEALS PROHIBITION AGAINST PUBLIC FUNDING OF ELECTION CAMPAIGNS. LEGISLATIVE STATUTE. Repeals prohibition on state and local governments offering public funding of candidate election campaigns. Public funding programs may not use funds earmarked for education, transportation, or public safety. Fiscal Impact: Ongoing costs to the state of a few hundred thousand dollars each year for the Fair Political Practices Commission to answer questions from state and local governments about public campaign finance programs.
Source: California Secretary of State
