Pasadena To Consider Campaign Contribution Limits For Local Races

PASADENA, CA — The Pasadena City Council will mull whether or not it wants to enact legislation regulating campaign contributions during its Monday meeting.

The city currently has no ordinance in place governing how much money a person can donate to a candidate, but that may change thanks to a 2019 law enacted by the California legislature that went into effect at the start of this year, according to a staff report. Under A.B. 571, Pasadena officials will have the option to go with the statewide default of a $4,900 limit on campaign contributions or set their own limit.

City officials also have the choice of enacting an ordinance that places no limits on local campaign contributions.

Although the next local election in Pasadena isn’t until June, officials would need to act as soon as possible if they decide to enact their own ordinance.

“The official nomination period for the June 7, 2022, election opens on February 14, 2022, but it is not uncommon for prospective candidates to begin campaigning and seeking contributions much earlier, such as in the coming weeks and months,” according to the staff report.

The Pasadena City Council is scheduled to meet Monday, at 4:30 p.m. The meeting will be streamed on the city's website, and community members can submit comments online.