Campaign Costs

Our Constitution confers the right to stand for public office basically to every citizen of legal age, never having been convicted of a felony. Yet there is a terrible inequity in the system by which a candidate for a local office who is short of funds is put at a great disadvantage against a candidate who is able to more freely spend his or her money.

The inequity centers around the candidate’s statement, which appears in the official voters pamphlet, but only if paid for by the candidate. The Election Code gives the right to the local agency to charge for the candidate’s statement to recoup for printing costs, handling, etc. Thousand Oaks charges $600, due on filing. The candidate may also be billed additionally should the $600 prove insufficient as a pro rata share of costs. The only exception to the charge is where a candidate may prove to be indigent.

I believe that a change is in order that would be much more fair and equitable for all serious candidates. If the city was to consider a nominal fee for filing, that would eliminate some who do not intend to conduct a serious campaign. It would also partially reimburse the City Clerk’s office for the time and paperwork involved in processing each candidate. At the same time, the very undemocratic charge for the candidate’s statement should either be eliminated or made nominal enough--with a maximum cap--so that all candidates could take advantage of this important advertising medium.

IRVING WASSERMAN

Thousand Oaks

Irving Wasserman is a candidate for City Council in Thousand Oaks.