On November 8, 2022, Oakland voters approved ballot Measure W, the Oakland Fair Elections Act, creating a newly designed public campaign financing program that disperses $100 in Democracy Dollar vouchers to eligible Oakland residents who can then assign the Dollars to the candidate of their choice.
The Democracy Dollars Program offers a new way for Oakland residents to participate in local government by supporting campaigns and/or running for office themselves. Democracy Dollars are certificates that Oakland residents can give to participating candidates to help support their campaigns.
In November 2022, Oakland voters passed Measure W, the Oakland Fair Elections Act. Measure W enacted several campaign finance reforms that change the way campaigns are typically financed for Oakland candidates.
One major reform allows the Oakland Public Ethics Commission (Commission or PEC) to distribute "Democracy Dollars" to eligible Oakland residents. The new law outlines criteria for participation and thresholds that a candidate must meet to qualify for the program and receive their assigned vouchers, including campaign spending limits and participation in a certain number of public forums. The Democracy Dollars program also includes a significant outreach component to encourage broad participation in the new program.
Oakland is the first California city, and only the second city in the nation, to try this innovation in public campaign financing. The Commission is committed to increasing transparency, accountability, equity, and accessibility for how Oakland elections are financed.
In early 2024, the PEC will distribute the new Democracy Dollars to Oakland residents. Oakland residents can use their Democracy Dollars to support participating candidates running for Oakland elected offices.
Oakland voters approve Measure W
Program funds and staff budgeted
Commission announces Democracy Dollars funds available for 2024 election
Candidate application process begins
Community outreach to raise awareness of program
Democracy Dollars mailed to Oakland registered voters
Eligible residents not registered to vote may apply for Democracy Dollars
Eligible Oakland residents assign vouchers to candidate of their choice
Funds are disbursed to participating candidates
Election
Candidates return unused Democracy Dollars Funds
Learn more about the Democracy Dollars program and campaign finance in Oakland.
Learn more about how the Program works
Commission report
A study conducted for the Public Ethics Commission
Read the full ballot measure text
Read staff reports detailing implemention efforts.
The Public Ethics Commission is an independent commission made up of Oakland residents and charged with ensuring fairness, openness, honesty and integrity in Oakland City government.
Our objective is to make sure Oakland public officials and government decision-making processes operate in a fair and unbiased manner, to promote transparency in Oakland government, and to promote public trust in our local political system.
The Commission's duties include ensuring compliance with the City of Oakland's government ethics, campaign finance, transparency, and lobbyist registration laws