Political Reform Act of 1974: public campaign financing: California Fair Elections Act of 2026.
Vote required
Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
Chaptered
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed Assembly
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill, the California Fair Elections Act of 2026, aims to reform California’s campaign finance laws by allowing public funding of candidates under certain conditions. It removes restrictions on public contributions to campaigns, requiring candidates to meet specific criteria and adhere to spending limits. The bill also increases penalties for foreign governments or foreign principals attempting to influence elections and requires voter approval for key changes to the Political Reform Act of 1974. A vote on the bill is scheduled for the November 3, 2026, statewide general election.
Key provisions
- Allows public officers and candidates to accept public funds for campaigns, subject to specific criteria and spending limits.
- Increases penalties for foreign governments or foreign principals attempting to influence elections.
- Requires voter approval for certain amendments to the Political Reform Act of 1974.
- Establishes a system for increasing candidate expenditure limits based on the highest spending limit of other candidates.
- Prohibits public funds from being used to repay personal loans to campaign.
- Requires candidates to meet strict criteria, such as receiving small-dollar contributions, to qualify for public funds.
- Requires a minimum contribution amount of $10 for contributors to be counted towards meeting eligibility criteria.
- Requires the Secretary of State to submit the bill to voters for approval.
Who is affected
Bill text
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