City Council Updates Voluntary Fair Campaign Pledge Ahead of Election Season

The Pasadena City Council on Monday unanimously approved updates to the City’s voluntary Fair Campaign Practices Agreement, modernizing a pledge candidates can sign committing to truthful and ethical campaigning ahead of the next local election cycle.

The agreement, recommended by the Council’s Legislative Policy Committee, is voluntary and applies only if all candidates in a given race choose to participate.

City officials said the changes were needed to reflect shifts in election timing and the growing role of digital and social media in local campaigns.

Steve Madison, chair of the committee, said the existing pledge had become outdated because it focused largely on campaign mailers and did not adequately address newer forms of political communication.

Pasadena’s municipal elections are now consolidated with County, state and federal elections, further underscoring the need for revisions.

“This is a voluntary agreement that candidates could sign in Pasadena pledging to adhere to certain principles of fair play and truthfulness in our local campaigns,” Madison said during the meeting. He added that the updated language also establishes a clearer process for candidates to notify one another and attempt to resolve disputes if concerns arise over compliance.