Counties and cities could set rules for public local campaign funding

A county or city governing body could create a public campaign funding system by ordinance. The system could cover campaigns for elected offices in that county or city. The ordinance must state how candidates qualify.

Candidates could choose whether to take part in the system. These rules apply to candidates in a county or city system who choose to accept public campaign funding. Candidates who decline to take part would not be governed by this section or a local ordinance adopted under it. Public campaign funding could be used only for a local elected office campaign. A candidate who accepts it would need a separate campaign account for that office, use its money only for that campaign, and keep it separate from other campaign accounts.

A county or city that creates a system would provide a public election fund, administered by its treasurer. The fund would be for elected local offices. The system could set stricter campaign rules for participating candidates, including rules on donations, spending, and reports, and could impose civil penalties for violations. The State Board would oversee the system to ensure, as far as practicable, that it follows state law and policy.