Pasadena Election Campaign Rules Could Get a Refresh Tonight

Pasadena’s voluntary campaign ethics agreement would get its first major update since before email and social media existed under a resolution before the City Council today.

The proposed changes respond to a timing problem: California now mails vote-by-mail ballots to all registered voters 29 days before elections, but the current agreement requires candidates to share campaign materials with opponents only during the last 14 days. The resolution would extend that window to 30 days, according to an agenda report prepared by City Clerk Mark Jomsky.

The Fair Campaign Practices Agreement, governed by a 1985 city ordinance, asks City Council candidates to voluntarily pledge ethical conduct during campaigns. The City Clerk’s Office distributes the agreement with nomination papers, and candidates who sign agree to disclose their campaign messaging to opponents before distribution.

Under the proposed revisions approved by the Legislative Policy Committee on January 6, the definition of campaign messaging would expand beyond mailers to include social media posts, email sent to 250 or more recipients, videos, billboards, and signage where campaign funds are used for distribution. Candidates who sign would have to provide copies to opponents at least 48 hours before posting or sending such materials during the 30-day pre-election period.

The resolution also addresses a concern raised by the Commission on the Status of Women about candidates using voter location information in campaign materials. A new provision would require campaigns to obtain written consent from voters before identifying them by address, Council district, or neighborhood in endorsement materials.

The proposed changes would also prohibit candidates from withdrawing mid-campaign without notice. Under the new provision, candidates must first provide written notice to opponents of alleged violations and allow 72 hours for resolution before withdrawing.

The agreement is unique to Pasadena and operates on an honor system. Neither the city ordinance nor the agreement provides enforcement mechanisms, and the California Fair Political Practices Commission has no authority over its provisions, according to the agenda report.

The public portion of tonight’s City Council meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at Pasadena City Hall, 100 North Garfield Avenue. The item is No. 9 on the agenda.

The full agenda is available here.