Legal Alerts Jan 06, 2021
Court Confirms FPPC's Authority to Punish Public Agencies That Spend Undisclosed Public Money to Influence Voters at Elections
California Trial Court Rules on Campaign-Related Public Spending
Elections are at the core of city functions, and issues can arise at any stage of the process, from candidate nomination through post-election challenges.
Best Best & Krieger LLP’s Municipal Law attorneys are recognized leaders in advising on a wide range of legal and tactical issues impacting cities with regard to local elections. Our lawyers regularly assist city clients with all types of elections, advising on everything from candidate nomination all the way through final canvass of election results. We are experienced in initiative drafting, filing, publication and circulation, handling ballot arguments, advising on campaign regulations, election contests, election timing, ballot security, recall procedures, ballot recounts, election result contests and other post-election matters.
Our lawyers routinely help municipal clients with drafting and placing their own local initiative measures on the ballot, as well as in responding to citizen-driven initiative and referendum measures. Further, we advise clients on current election law issues, including lawsuits under the California Voting Rights Act, which is forcing cities and other local agencies to change from an “at large” to “by district” election format. We are experienced in helping cities convert to a “by district” format, working to establish proportional voting districts as required by federal and state law, and we also advise on redistricting/reapportionment issues that often arise whenever a new federal census report is published.
BB&K municipal lawyers provide guidance on the Political Reform Act and campaign finance issues, including any new campaign finance regulations issued by the Fair Political Practices Commission and the Federal Election Commission. Our lawyers have advised many cities to ensure that local candidates and political action committees comply with applicable campaign disclosure requirements and have helped cities draft their own local campaign contribution limitation ordinances to the extent permitted by law.
While our primary purpose is to assist city clients with legal issues, our vast range of elections experience enables us to advise our clients on the best tactical strategy to ensure the desired political outcome for the city.
California Trial Court Rules on Campaign-Related Public Spending
Mail-In and Absentee Ballots Debated in COVID-19 Pandemic and Election Day Overlap
Court Invalidates Common Sign Ordinance on First Amendment Grounds
Swift Decision Rejects Ballot Language Opposition
BB&K's Henry Castillo Writes About the Legal Authority for Election Postponement in PublicCEO
California Appellate Court Holds Plaintiffs Must Establish “Dilution” to Successfully Challenge At-Large Voting Systems Under CVRA
New Order Also Gives Guidance on Three Upcoming Special Elections
Appellate Court Takes on “Home Rule” in City of Redondo v. Alex Padilla
California Appellate Court Invalidates Water District Board Election
Elections, Public Safety, Surplus Funds and More
New Public Agency, California Public Records Act, Education and Labor & Employment Laws
Part 1: California Laws Impacting Public Agencies for 2020
FPPC Will Enforce Limits
FPPC Advises When Public Agencies Can Survey Voters and Disseminate Results
Calif. Appellate Court Strikes Down SB 1107
Initiatives that Would Change County Government Structure Not Allowed, Calif. Appellate Court Rules
Argent Communications Group
Seeking Legislation to Amend Political Reform Act
2019 Brings Changes to Election, Revenue, Conflict of Interest, Property and Public Safety Laws… and More
Additional Changes to Leadership Roles
New and Expanded Services and More Attorneys and Staff Added in 2018
Ninth Circuit Holds That States Have an Important Interest in Preserving the Integrity of Their Political Institutions
BB&K Attorneys Jim Priest and Sigrid Asmundson Discuss the Dos and Don’ts in PublicCEO
Municipal Law Attorney to Serve Educational Organizations
California Appellate Court Gives Cities Less Flexibility
Partner
Issue Related to Number of Votes Needed to Pass a General Versus Special Tax Under Proposition 218
BB&K Free Webinar
BB&K Webinar
Of Counsel
Of Counsel
Attorney Recently Merged Firm with BB&K, Sierra Sun Reports
PublicCEO
Legal Issues that Matter Most to California Cities
By Thomas Rice
Elections, Public Records Act, Revenue and Conflicts of Interest
Certain Government-Funded Mailings Prohibited 60 Days Before an Election
BB&K Municipal Law Webinar Series
California Voter Participation Rights Act
Five BB&K Partners Receive Honor
Laws Passed in 2016 That Will Impact Public Agency Work
Of Counsel
Advocacy vs. Informational: BB&K Attorney Jim Priest Discusses with Sacramento Bee
By William J. Priest
By William J. Priest
Total Population, However, May Not Be the Only Standard Upon Which Voting Areas Can Be Based
10 - 11:30 a.m. PT | Webinar
Case Illustrates Why How a Measure is Worded Matters
By William J. Priest
This comprehensive round-up includes new legislation that will impact cities, counties, special districts and schools.
The Education Code and the Courts Have Established Rules and Regulations for Campuses
By clicking “Agree,” you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance website navigation, analyze website usage and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Cookie Notice here.