Salt Lake County may alter rules on campaign fundraising

Begging for campaign cash could get a whole lot easier.

Today the Salt Lake County Council will consider an ordinance that would ease campaign fundraising limitations.

Instead of pestering supporters every campaign cycle for money, candidates could collect it all up front, if the council approves.

Candidates currently must spread collections over three cycles — the party convention, the primary election and the general election in order to receive the maximum $6,000 per individual contributor. Individuals or businesses can donate up to $2,000 per cycle.

The ordinance doesn't change the $6,000 cap, it simply allows candidates to collect the money up front, rather than spreading it over the three reporting cycles.

Councilman Joe Hatch said asking for money once is a whole lot easier than going back several times.

"It was just kind of a hassle," Hatch said. "It got to the point you'd keep going back and asking for more, and they'd say, 'Why can't I just write you a $6,000 check now?"'

The ordinance does include some protections for contributors in case their chosen candidate is ousted either at a political convention or in the primary election.

If a candidate accepts political donations for all three cycles from one person but loses early in the race, the money would be refunded.

Candidates still cannot accept any anonymous donations or third-party contributions.

---

E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com