San Francisco Ethics Commission reopens Alioto public‑financing determination after staff deadline error

The San Francisco Ethics Commission voted on April 20 to vacate an executive director—s determination that the Alioto for Mayor committee was ineligible for public financing, giving the campaign an amended resubmission window and directing staff to consider contributions received on March 27.

The decision came after Executive Director Lee Pelham acknowledged a discrepancy between a supplemental candidate guide and the city code about whether donations dated March 27, the 70th day before the election, should count toward qualification. Pelham told the commission staff had applied a guide intended for supervisorial candidates in a way that may have led the campaign to exclude contributions it otherwise could have relied on.

"Our supplemental guide is incorrect with regard to the way it states the seventieth day application for the mayor's race," Pelham said in her presentation, adding that staff wanted to confirm whether the committee had March 27 contributions that should be reviewed before a final determination.

Campaign counsel Sandra Rivera Speed told commissioners…