City of Columbus - File #: 2673-2003

• File #: 2673-2003
• Version: 2
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 11/26/2003
• In control: Rules & Reference Committee
• On agenda: 11/22/2004
• Final action: 11/24/2004
• Title: To enact a new Section 2321.53 in the Columbus City Code where additional campaign finance disclosure requirements related to municipal elections are adopted above and beyond the State of Ohio standards.
• Sponsors: Matthew D. Habash

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
11/24/2004	2	MAYOR	Signed
11/24/2004	2	CITY CLERK	Attest
11/22/2004	1	Columbus City Council	Approved	Pass
11/22/2004	1	Columbus City Council	Amended as submitted to the Clerk	Pass
11/22/2004	1	Columbus City Council	Taken from the Table	Pass
11/22/2004	2	COUNCIL PRESIDENT	Signed
11/1/2004	1	Columbus City Council	Tabled to Certain Date	Pass
10/25/2004	1	Columbus City Council	Read for the First Time
10/21/2004	1	Finance Drafter	Sent to Clerk's Office for Council
10/14/2004	1	Finance Drafter	Sent to Clerk's Office for Council
10/13/2004	1	City Clerk's Office	Sent back for Clarification/Correction
10/4/2004	1	Finance Drafter	Sent to Clerk's Office for Council
10/1/2004	1	Mayor Drafter	Sent for Approval
9/30/2004	1	Mayor Drafter	Sent for Approval
9/30/2004	1	CITY ATTORNEY	Reviewed and Approved
9/24/2004	1	Atty Reviewer	Sent for Approval
9/9/2004	1	Finance Drafter	Sent for Approval
9/2/2004	1	City Clerk's Office	Sent back for Clarification/Correction
12/4/2003	1	Finance Drafter	Sent to Clerk's Office for Council
12/3/2003	1	Finance Reviewer	Reviewed and Approved
12/3/2003	1	CITY ATTORNEY	Reviewed and Approved
12/2/2003	1	CITY ATTORNEY	Reviewed and Approved
12/1/2003	1	Finance Reviewer	Reviewed and Approved
11/26/2003	1	Finance Drafter	Sent for Approval

Explanation

Background:
Seeking to impact public policy is a right of all citizens. At the same time, citizens have a right to know the identity of persons seeking to influence public policy and elections because they will be governed by the decisions that are made and the officials who are elected.

The City of Columbus finds that such disclosure is vital to an informed electorate and informed citizenry and preserving a democratic form of government. Such disclosure serves to prevent the appearance of impropriety in the public policy decision making process at the legislative and executive levels. Council further finds that such communications influence the result of elections on candidates and ballot issues even in the absence of words of express advocacy.

The City of Columbus affirms that the Election Period Communication Disclosure statements required by division (C) of this section are in the public interest of the citizens of the City of Columbus. Citizens have a right to know the identity of persons seeking to influence public policy and elections because they will be governed by the decisions that are made and the officials who are elected. Additional disclosure requirements are vital to an informed citizenry and preserving a democratic form of government.

A workgroup shall be appointed consisting of four members determined by the Board of Elections and one member each from the Mayor's Office, City Council, City Attorney and City Auditor to explore the best ways to facilitate and fund electronic campaign disclosure.

Fiscal Impact:
The fiscal impact is minimal. The City will work with the Franklin County Board of Elections on implementation, monitoring and coordination as it relates to these new campaign finance filing requirements to ensure that the costs associated with this ordinance remain minimal.

Title

To enact a new Section 2321.53 in the Columbus City Code where additional campaign finance disclosure requirement...