Democracy Dollars Program | Oakland Fair Elections Act

The Democracy Dollars Program offers a new way for Oakland residents to participate in local government by supporting campaigns and/or running for office themselves. Democracy Dollars are certificates that Oakland residents can give to participating candidates to help support their campaigns.

Funds available for 2026 candidates will be announced after the 2025-2027 Budget is adopted in June 2025. In early 2026, the PEC will distribute the Democracy Dollars to Oakland residents. Eligible residents can then use their Democracy Dollars to support participating candidates running for Oakland elected offices.

Under Oakland Fair Elections Act, the Commission is required to vote on a delay if it cannot fully implement the program. Because the Fiscal Year 2023-2025 Adopted Budget does not provide funding for the Democracy Dollars vouchers or sufficient staffing and resources to administer the full Program or a pilot, the Commission voted to postpone the distribution and use of Democracy Dollars vouchers for the 2024 election cycle. However, the Commission is continuing to build out the technology, policy, and staffing infrastructure to successfully implement the Program in subsequent elections.

In November 2022, Oakland voters passed Measure W, the Oakland Fair Elections Act. Measure W enacted several campaign finance reforms that change the way campaigns are typically financed for Oakland candidates.

One major reform allows the Oakland Public Ethics Commission (Commission or PEC) to distribute "Democracy Dollars" to eligible Oakland residents. The new law outlines criteria for participation and thresholds that a candidate must meet to qualify for the program and receive their assigned vouchers, including campaign spending limits and participation in a certain number of public forums. The Democracy Dollars program also includes a significant outreach component to encourage broad participation in the new program.

Oakland is the first California city, and only the second city in the nation, to try this innovation in public campaign financing. The Commission is committed to increasing transparency, accountability, equity, and accessibility for how Oakland elections are financed.

There are many ways to stay informed and get involved in this exciting new program:

• Subscribe for email updates from the Public Ethics Commission;
• Follow us on social media;
• Visit the Democracy Dollars website;
• Come to the Commission's monthly meeting;
• Invite the Commission to your community organization;
• Apply to become a Commissioner!