Gaithersburg To Add Fifth Campaign Finance Report For 2013 Elections

Gaithersburg officials voted in favor of adding a fifth campaign finance report for the 2013 city elections, but unanimously opposed making changes to the city's election code defining political action committees and the addition of slates.

The fifth finance report will be due 14 days after city elections.

Other options for the proposed ordinance included:

• Amending the definition of a political committee, adding slates and adding a fifth campaign finance report 
• Amending the definition of a political committee and adding a fifth campaign finance report 
• Amending the definition of a political committee so that it is similar to the state definition included in HB 1499 and adding a fifth campaign finance report 

The Board of Supervisors of Elections recommended the city revise the definition of a political committee from a group of two or more to a group of three or more that collects or spends $1,000 or more "to assist in the promotion of the success or defeat of any candidate or slate of candidates for city elective office." The current committee collection and spending threshhold is $250.

A number of Council members said they believed the current spending threshold to be one that can make a significant impact on municipal elections.

Council Member Jud Ashman said $250 is more than enough money for an individual to effectively spread a message.

"If we were to raise that limit to $500 or $1,000 we are reducing the transparency, reducing the way the average citizen in Gaithersburg can see how many can effect an election," Ashman said.

"I agree, $250 can have a considerable impact on the elections in this city, just because of the budgets we've been using and what it costs to mount a campaign in [Gaithersburg]," said Council Vice President Michael A. Sesma. "If we get to the point where $250 is pocket change then we're looking at a totally different situation."

Council members agreed that the most important step is to continue educating members of the public on how they can be involved in campaigns. Ashman suggested the city do a better job of promoting the rules in its voter guide.

Council member Henry Marraffa said the proposed changes would leave people "very confused," and that they run the risk of being in a political action committee without realizing it. 

"We need to have more guidance, I can't support it the way it is now," Marraffa said." However, instead of leaving the definition of political committees as is, Marraffa said he hopes to see the city expand its definition in the future.

"I don't think we have enough definitions on PACs for me to support it," he said. "I think they should be at least 10-12 people, they should have an agenda, they should have officers to be called a PAC."