County plans to require more from campaign finance disclosures

The Board of Supervisors today signaled its supportfor amending Riverside County’s campaign finance regulations so candidates forcounty office would be required to publicly disclose via the Internet allcontributions of $1,000 or more.

“This is a simple transparency issue,” Supervisor Kevin Jeffries said.”It’s not going to break or hurt anybody. Electronic filing saves time andmoney.”

A county regulation approved by the board in 2011 requires thatpolitical contributions of $5,000 or more be posted on the Office of theRegistrar of Voters’ website during an election cycle.

A state law that took effect Jan. 1 allows local governing bodies torequire that campaign contributions of $1,000 or more be posted online in theinterest of public scrutiny.

Jeffries proposed an amendment to reflect the change in California law.

“This will make it easier for the media and voters to see who’scontributing what,” the supervisor said.

County Registrar of Voters Kari Verjil called electronic filing a”great success,” noting that since it went into effect in 2011, staffworkload has decreased because there’s less time spent scanning, copying and e-filing documents, which candidates are required to do themselves when theamounts received exceed $5,000.

The proposed $1,000 threshold will necessitate amending the 2011campaign finance disclosure ordinance.

If the board approves the amendment — following at least two publichearings — a candidate or political action committee would thereafter have toelectronically post details of a contribution within 10 days.

The proposed revision would only affect candidates for county offices orballot measures that are countywide in scope.

The Office of County Counsel is expected to draft a proposed amendmentand bring it back for board consideration in the next couple of months.