San Francisco Ethics Commission hears public concern over audit delays for financed campaigns

The San Francisco County Board of Supervisors held a meeting on July 4, 2025, focusing on the ethics department's audit processes for city candidates and committees receiving public financing. The meeting highlighted significant delays in the auditing of campaigns, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in local elections.

Supervisor Aaron Peskin, who sponsored the hearing, expressed frustration over the backlog of audits, particularly noting that audits from the 2020 election cycle have yet to be completed. He emphasized the importance of timely audits to ensure public trust and compliance with campaign finance laws. Peskin pointed out that many candidates are still operating with open campaign accounts, which can lead to potential misuse of funds.

Director of the Ethics Commission, Ms. Pelham, acknowledged the delays, attributing them to staffing shortages and the impact of the pandemic. She reported that two audits from 2019 are expected to be completed by December 31, 2022, and that they plan to initiate audits for the 2020 election cycle soon. However, the timeline for completing the remaining audits remains uncertain, with some estimates suggesting they may not be finalized until 2024.

The discussion also touched on the need for a more structured audit process and the potential for external auditing assistance to expedite the backlog. Pelham confirmed that the Ethics Commission is working with the Controller's Office to secure external resources to help manage the audit workload.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from the Ethics Commission to provide a detailed audit schedule to the Board by the end of the week, addressing the urgent need for transparency in the electoral process. The Board plans to revisit the matter to ensure progress is made in clearing the audit backlog and enhancing the integrity of campaign financing in San Francisco.