Campaign Finance Reform

The Board of Supervisors enacted the Campaign Finance Reform Ordinance to help the individual voter. This is accomplished by reducing the potential influence, and the appearance of influence, resulting from large campaign contributions to candidates, committees supporting candidates, or independent expenditure committees. Thus, promoting the integrity of the process of electing Ventura County candidates and the integrity of Ventura County Government.

The Campaign Finance Reform Ordinance assigns duties and responsibilities that pertain to the timely release and publishing of campaign finance information, and it mandates that all candidates for County elected officials, candidate controlled committees, and independent expenditure committees raising or expending at least $1,000 file campaign statements electronically with the County Clerk Elections Division.

An appointed Compliance Officer reviews and coordinates investigations of complaints alleging violation of this ordinance. The five-member Campaign Finance Ethics Commission receives recommendations from the Compliance Officer for dismissal of complaints, adoption of voluntary settlement agreements, or preside as the trier of fact and law at evidentiary hearings.