The citizens of Walnut Creek are entitled to fair campaigns for City offices. The goal of a fully informed electorate can only be achieved if candidates discuss the issues openly and fairly; avoid defamatory attacks on their opponents; fairly represent the facts; identify themselves on campaign mailings; supervise the preparation of campaign materials; and file timely and complete disclosure statements. The purposes of this ordinance are to emphasize the need for fair campaigns, to make all candidates for City offices aware of the City's commitment to fair campaigns, to specify the characteristics of a fair campaign, and to give every candidate for City office the opportunity to commit himself or herself to fair campaign practices.
(§ 1, Ord. 1625, eff. July 18, 1985; § 1, Ord. 1667, eff. July 2, 1986; § 1, Ord. 1851-A, eff. 12/15/1994)
With the Declaration of Candidacy, the City Clerk shall issue to each candidate for City office a form for a voluntary campaign pledge which shall read as follows:
FAIR CAMPAIGN PLEDGE
1. I shall conduct my campaign for City office openly and fairly.
2. I shall discuss the issues and participate in fair debate with respect to my views and qualifications.
3. I shall not engage in, or permit, defamatory attacks on the character of my opponents; nor shall I engage in unwarranted invasions of personal privacy unrelated to campaign issues.
4. I shall not at any time use or permit the use of any campaign material or advertisement which misrepresents, distorts, or otherwise falsifies the facts regarding any candidate or the candidate's position on issues.
5. I shall clearly identify myself, or my campaign committee(s), as the sender of all of my campaign mailings.
6. I shall personally approve in writing all of my campaign materials, advertisements, or mailings, prior to their use.
7. I shall publicly repudiate support derived from any individual or group whose activities would violate this Fair Campaign Pledge.
8. I shall file all campaign statements as required by the California Political Reform Act and City ordinance on time with full disclosure of campaign contributions and expenditures.
9. I shall not duplicate or use any lists of contributors filed by any other candidates for the purpose of compiling my own mailing lists without the permission of the other candidate.
10. I, the undersigned candidate for election to a City office in the City of Walnut Creek, hereby voluntarily endorse, subscribe to, and solemnly pledge myself to conduct my campaign in accordance with the above principles and practices.
Date: ________________________________
Signature: ___________________________
Please print name, office sought, and date of election.
(§ 1, Ord. 1625, eff. July 18, 1985; § 1, Ord. 1667, eff. July 2, 1986; § 1, Ord. 1851-A, eff. 12/15/1994)
Each candidate may choose to sign or not sign the campaign pledge.
(§ 1, Ord. 1625, eff. July 18, 1985; § 1, Ord. 1667, eff. July 2, 1986; § 1, Ord. 1851-A, eff. 12/15/1994)
The Fair Campaign Pledge may be filed with the Declaration of Candidacy.
(§ 1, Ord. 1625, eff. July 18, 1985; § 1, Ord. 1667, eff. July 2, 1986; § 1, Ord. 1851-A, eff. 12/15/1994)
Every Fair Campaign Pledge is a public record which shall be open to inspection at all times during City business hours.
(§ 1, Ord. 1625, eff. July 18, 1985; § 1, Ord. 1667, eff. July 2, 1986; § 1, Ord. 1851-A, eff. 12/15/1994)