In 2016, Berkeley voters adopted the Berkeley Fair
Elections Act of 2016. This ballot
measure created a voluntary program providing public matching funds for
candidates running for the office of Mayor or Councilmember. Participating candidates are eligible to
receive a 6-to-1 match on qualifying contributions of up to $50 (e.g. for a $50
qualifying contribution, a participating candidate receives $300 in public matching
funds).
The Fair Elections Act is codified in Chapter 2.12 of the
Municipal Code and supplemented by regulations adopted by the Fair Campaign
Practices Commission. Please visit the BERA Information Page for
more details.
If you have additional questions after reading the handbook
linked below, please contact the City Clerk Department.
Berkeley Public Financing Program Supplemental Guide