Today is the first day that campaigns and candidates for the Austin City Council can start soliciting or accepting political contributions. Although many things will be radically different this election cycle, asking for money will remain practically the same.
When Austin voters changed the city’s form of government in 2012, they did not change anything when it comes to campaign contributions. Still, the city’s clerk JannetteGoodall says campaign contribution limits are adjusted every election cycle according to inflation.
For instance, the charter says 300 dollars “and I believe the current amount is 350,” says Goodall.
One thing that may throw people off is that for the first time this November, Austinites will only elect the mayor citywide. All the other candidates will be elected, solely, by one of ten geographic districts. Goodall says, although voters will cast their ballots by district, their checkbooks will not be limited by geography at all.
“Anyone in a district can contribute to anyone else’s campaign, regardless if they’re in that district,” Goodall says.
This year’s election will be November 4.
Who's running for council in your district? KUT and the Austin Monitor are keeping track of who's in the race for city hall at our Hall Monitor site.
