Elections Board Changes Donation Rule, Then Changes Back

At the last Board of Supervisors of Elections meeting, all four board members voted unanimously to do something that had never happened in Gaithersburg before.

They interpreted an election rule that says a person can donate a maximum of $500 to any candidate in an election cycle to include candidates and their spouses.

Previously, someone running for office could spend as much of their own money on their campaign as they wanted.

"The Board of Supervisors of Elections has interpreted the language limiting contributions a candidate may accept 'from any one person'  to $500 and the language that 'no person' may make contributions to a candidate in excess of $500," said Lynn Board, the City Attorney, in an email earlier this week. "The BOSE has determined that 'person' as used in this section of the code, includes the candidate."

That section, specifically, is Sec. 6C-12(a).

But a source with knowledge of the Board of Supervisors of Elections' plans told Patch that at tonight's meeting—the last before the general election on Nov. 8—the Board will reverse its decision.

This will come as a relief to at least two of the candidates, who were caught above the $500 limit after the rule change.

Councilwoman Cathy Drzyzgula and challenger Paula Ross both had donated more than the new rule allowed to their own campaigns, and had their third pre-general finance reports rejected because of it.

The BOSE asked them to file amended reports.

Check back tonight for coverage of the BOSE meeting, which begins at 6:30 at City Hall.