How does it work?
- Registered voters get four $25 Democracy Dollar Certificates to be given to the municipal candidate(s) of your choice.
- Candidates can only accept your Democracy Dollars after collecting the required signatures and donations, and agreeing to additional campaign finance restrictions.
- Your Democracy Dollars help boost the campaign of your preferred Candidate(s) when they are exchanged for public funds distributed by the Program Administrator.
- Candidates campaign knowing that every public outreach – from a canvassing to attending a pancake breakfast – is now an opportunity for earning votes AND Democracy Dollars.
- You and fellow citizens have a stronger voice in who runs for office and who wins.
How do candidates qualify and participate?
In order to qualify for the program, candidates must:
1. Show grassroots support by collection a minimum number of signatures and
donations to be eligible for the program.
- For Mayor, 600 signatures and 600 donations of $10 per donation are required.
All from within the city of San Diego.
- For City Attorney, 600 signatures and 600 donations of $10 per donation are required.
All from within the city of San Diego.
- For City Council, 200 signatures and 200 donations of $10 per donation are required.
All from within the District they seek to represent.
2. Agree to new voluntary campaign contribution limits for individuals during an election cycle.
- $500 for Mayor, excluding the value of Democracy Dollars
- $350 for City Attorney, excluding the value of Democracy Dollars
- $250 for City Council, excluding the value of Democracy Dollars
3. Agree to participate in televised and live-streamed debates that are recorded and remain accessible to voters to view at their convenience.
4. Reaffirm their legal obligation to not solicit money for or on behalf of any political action committee, political party, or any organization that will make an independent expenditure for or against any City of San Diego candidate within the election cycle.