Pasadena Updates Voluntary Fair Campaign Pledge Ahead of Elections

City Council approves changes to modernize the pledge and address digital campaigning.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 7:31pm

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The Pasadena City Council unanimously approved updates to the city's voluntary Fair Campaign Practices Agreement, which allows candidates to pledge to truthful and ethical campaigning ahead of local elections. The changes were recommended by the Council's Legislative Policy Committee to reflect shifts in election timing and the growing role of digital and social media in local campaigns.

Why it matters

As Pasadena's municipal elections are now consolidated with county, state, and federal elections, the updated pledge aims to establish clearer principles and processes for candidates to address any concerns over compliance with fair campaign practices, especially as digital and social media have become more prominent in local political communication.

The details

The existing pledge had become outdated as it focused largely on campaign mailers and did not adequately address newer forms of political communication. The updated language establishes a clearer process for candidates to notify one another and attempt to resolve disputes if concerns arise over compliance with the pledge.

  • The Pasadena City Council approved the updates on Monday, February 3, 2026.

The players

Pasadena City Council

The governing body of the city of Pasadena, California that unanimously approved the updates to the voluntary Fair Campaign Practices Agreement.

Steve Madison

The chair of the Council's Legislative Policy Committee, which recommended the changes to the campaign pledge.

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What they’re saying

“This is a voluntary agreement that candidates could sign in Pasadena pledging to adhere to certain principles of fair play and truthfulness in our local campaigns.”

— Steve Madison, Chair, Legislative Policy Committee (pasadenanow.com)

What’s next

The updated voluntary Fair Campaign Practices Agreement will be in effect for the next local election cycle in Pasadena.

The takeaway

Pasadena's efforts to modernize its voluntary campaign pledge demonstrate the city's commitment to promoting ethical and transparent local elections, especially as digital and social media continue to play a growing role in political communication.