El Segundo OKs Campaign Finance Law

The El Segundo City Council has passed the city’s first municipal campaign finance ordinance.

The ordinance, approved 3 to 2 Tuesday, limits the amount of individual contributions in an election and confines donations to a three-month election period. It does not limit the amount a candidate may contribute to his or her own election, nor the amount a candidate’s election committee may spend.

Councilman Scot D. Dannen, who proposed the ordinance, said it is intended to combat “war chests” and that it “puts out in the open” sources of financial support. He said many other cities already have such controls. The ordinance is modeled after one in Gardena.

The measure, which takes effect in 30 days, places a $250 ceiling on the amount individuals or groups may contribute to a candidate, bars contributions under assumed names and limits the total amount of anonymous contributions to $1,000. It also confines donations to a three-month election period, starting when nomination papers can be filed and ending when polls close on Election Day.

Councilman H. R. (Bob) Anderson voted against the measure, contending that it was “pushed through” the council without sufficient public participation.

Councilman Alan West also voted against it after objecting to the exclusion of volunteer campaign workers from ordinance controls. The measure requires organizations or individuals who are not controlled by a candidate to disclose expenditures made on behalf of or against any candidate. City Atty. Leland C. Dolley advised the council that work done by people without charge may not be limited.

J. B. Wise, who said he will run for council in April, objected to the ordinance’s adoption without the involvement of a citizens committee. He also objected to a provision that updated campaign disclosure documents must be filed with the city by noon on the Friday before an election. He argued that the information could be used for last-minute flyers attacking candidates who would not have time to respond before the election. He suggested a noon deadline on Election Day.