Candidates and Campaigns

The Public Ethics Commission enforces campaign rules, acts as official filing officer for campaign statements, and provides resources to educate candidates and committees about local rules and requirements.

Get Updates from the Public Ethics Commission

Topics

Contribution limits, highlights of campaign laws, candidate toolkits, advertising rules and other helpful information about campaigns.

Publications

The Commission publishes educational materials and comprehensive guides to the Oakland Campaign Reform Act and Limited Public Financing Act to assist you in complying with local law.

Campaign Advisories

• PEC Advisory - Campaign Activity by Officeholders and City Staff(PDF, 180KB)
  PEC Advisory about campaign activity by officeholders and City staff.
• PEC Advisory - 2025-2026 Contribution Limits for Candidates(PDF, 199KB)
  2025-2026 Oakland Campaign Contribution Limits
• PEC Advisory - 2025 Special Election Filing Schedule(PDF, 284KB)
  Campaign committee filing schedule for the April 15, 2025 City of Oakland Special Election
• PEC Advisory - 2025 Special Election - 24-Hour Reporting(PDF, 169KB)
  Advisory about 24-hour campaign reporting requirements for the April 15, 2025 Special Election.
• 2024 - 24-hour Contribution and Independent Expenditure Reporting(PDF, 165KB)
• 2024 - Ballot Measure Committees(PDF, 200KB)
• 2024 - Social Media Account Disclaimers(PDF, 172KB)
• 2024 - Campaign Activity by Officeholders and City Staff(PDF, 180KB)
• 2023 - 24-Hour Contribution and Indepedent Expenditure Reporting(PDF, 275KB)
• 2023 - Contribution Limits(PDF, 195KB)
• 2023 - Important Changes to Local Campaign Finance Laws Effective in 2023(PDF, 210KB)

Training

On demand training provides an overview of the California Political Reform Act and Oakland Campaign Reform Act provisions for candidates and campaign treasurers, as well as Oakland's Limited Public Financing program for District Council candidates.

Reporting Campaign Finances

• File Campaign Statements and Reports
• April 15, 2025, Special Election Filing Schedule

The Law

Campaign Reform Act
Local campaign rules seeking to reduce the influence of large donors on elections

Fair Elections Act(PDF, 5MB)
Provides public funding for Oakland candidates to expand participation in elections

False Endorsement in Campaign Literature
Prohibits falsehoods knowingly made in campaign literature

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