Starting next year, candidates running for office in San Diego will be able to take in contributions of up to $500, a significant increase across the board. The current limits on individual contributions are set at $270 for city council and $320 for both mayor and city attorney races.

The city council passed the new law on Monday. The San Diego Ethics Commission had proposed increasing the limit to $1,000, arguing that it would lesson the influence of special interests and allow candidates to spend less time fundraising. Opponents, including the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council, contended that independent expenditures would always be a factor in competitive races.

The change marks the first time in 25 years that the city raised the contribution limit.

The council also voted to force candidates to disclose all contributions up until the final Thursday before the election. Current state law permits waiting up to three months to report donations collected in the last 17 days of the campaign.

Both measures passed by a 5-3 vote.