From Watergate to Fair Political Practices

In the aftermath of the Watergate scandal, California was the first state to pass a comprehensive political reform package. Proposition 9, known today as The Political Reform Act, was passed as a ballot measure by California voters in the June 1974 election. The initiative was championed by a tripartite group consisting of then-Secretary of State Jerry Brown, the People’s Lobby, and Common Cause. By including provisions regulating campaign finance, lobbying activity and conflicts of interest, Proposition 9 represented the most significant state-level response to the culture of corruption that was believed to be so pervasive in the pre-Watergate years (Source: California Fair Political Practices Commission).  

In Union City

The Political Reform Act requires the City Clerk, serving as the Filing Officer, to administer the Union City Conflict of Interest Code. Officials designated in the Conflict of Interest Code are required to file the following forms with the City Clerk:

• Assuming Office Statement when assuming a designated position
• An annual statement each year 
• A Leaving Office Statement within 30 days of resignation of termination
• Candidate Statement (for elected officials only)
• Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700)

Statements of Economic Interest filed by certain State and Local Government agency elected officers are available in electronic format on the Fair Political Practices Commission's website.