Ordinance amending the Municipal Elections Code to increase the filing fee and per word fee for paid ballot arguments.

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors is considering an ordinance to amend the Municipal Elections Code, specifically Section 830, to significantly increase the fees for paid ballot arguments. The proposed changes would raise the filing fee from $200 to $1,000 per argument and the per-word fee from $2 to $10. These increases are intended to better align the fees with the rising production costs of the Voter Information Pamphlet (VIP), which have not been updated since 1997. The Department of Elections estimates these changes could reduce its General Fund support by over $500,000 for upcoming elections.

This ordinance will significantly increase the cost for individuals or groups wishing to submit paid arguments in the Voter Information Pamphlet, potentially limiting public discourse on ballot measures.

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