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California Proposition 212, Campaign Spending and Contribution Limits Initiative (1996)
| California Proposition 212 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Election date November 5, 1996 | |
| Topic Campaign finance | |
Status Defeated | |
| Type State statute | Origin Citizens |
California Proposition 212 was on the ballot as an initiated state statute in California on November 5, 1996. It was defeated.
A "yes" vote supported creating limits on the amount of campaign contributions that an individual or group can make to a candidate for state and local elective office; prohibiting lobbyists from making contributions; establishing voluntary campaign spending limits; providing limitations on the periods during which campaigns can conduct fundraising; and creating penalties for campaign finance law violations. |
A "no" vote opposed creating limits on the amount of campaign contributions that an individual or group can make to a candidate for state and local elective office; prohibiting lobbyists from making contributions; establishing voluntary campaign spending limits; providing limitations on the periods during which campaigns can conduct fundraising; and creating penalties for campaign finance law violations. |
Election results
|
California Proposition 212 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 4,539,403 | 49.16% | ||
|
|
4,694,166 | 50.84% | ||
Measure design
If Proposition 212 had been approved, it would have made changes to the state's laws governing campaign contributions and spending, including:
- limiting the amount of campaign contributions that an individual or group can make to a candidate for state and local elective office;
- prohibiting lobbyists from making contributions;
- establishing both mandatory and voluntary campaign spending limits;
- limiting when campaign fund-raising may occur;
- eliminating current restrictions on public officials receiving gifts and honoraria;
- eliminating tax deductions for lobbying expenses; and
- establishing penalties for violations of the measure and increased penalties for existing campaign law violations.
Proposition 208, which also concerned campaign finance in California, was also on the November 1996 ballot.
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Proposition 212 was as follows:
| “ | Campaign Contributions and Spending Limits. Repeals Gifts and Honoraria Limits. Restricts Lobbyists. Initiative Statute. | ” |
Ballot summary
The ballot summary for this measure was:
| “ |
Repeals existing law limiting gifts and prohibiting honoraria received by public officials. Limits contributions per candidate per election to $200 for statewide offices, $100 for most other offices. Allows committees of small contributors 100 times this individual limit. Prohibits more than 25% of contributions from outside district. Limits total contributions by committees and individuals. Bans direct contributions from businesses and unions. Imposes spending limits. Limits time for fundraising. Prohibits tax deduction for lobbying expenses. Prohibits lobbyists from making or arranging contributions to those they influence. | ” |
Full Text
The full text of this measure is available here.
Path to the ballot
In 1996, 433,269 valid signatures were required to qualify an initiated state statute for the ballot.
See also
External links
Footnotes
