Search

Fair Political Practices Commission advice@fppc.ca.gov Chapter 7.1 Campaign Manual 1 August 2023 chapter 7 Communications Campaigns reach the voters through political communications including television, radio, and Internet advertising, mailers, billboards, precinct-walking, and flyers. The Political Reform Act ("Act") requires that committees report most payments in connection with political communications as direct expenditures, nonmonetary contributions to the campaign, or independent expenditures. As discussed below, however, certain types of communications may not be reportable at all, or may be subject to special reporting requirements. This chapter reviews common communications in a campaign and how payments for the communications are reported. The Act also requires “paid for by” disclosures on campaign ads to inform voters who is paying for the communication. Chapter 8 discusses the disclosure requirements that apply to communications, including mass mailings, made by candidate contro...

Fair Political Practices Commission advice@fppc.ca.gov Chapter 9.1 Campaign Manual 1 August 2023 chapter 9 Committee Report – Form 460 Candidate controlled committees, including legal defense fund and officeholder committees, use the Campaign Statement (Form 460) to report campaign financial activity. This chapter provides instructions on how to complete the form. Key provisions: • Reports are due by specified deadlines. Filing schedules are posted on the FPPC website. • State committees with financial activity of $25,000 or more must file electronically with the Secretary of State. Software programs are available as well as a free program provided by the Secretary of State’s Office: www.sos.ca.gov. • As this manual version goes to press, all campaign statements must be filed on paper with a “wet” signature including those that are also filed electronically. Effective, January 1, 2023, filers required to file a report or statement by paper with the Secretary of State may instead file the...

Entire Campaign Disclosure Manual 1 - Information for State Candidates, Their Controlled Committees, and Primarily Formed Committees for State Candidates Manual_1_Final.pdf Information Campaigns Education Document Manuals

Fair Political Practices Commission advice@fppc.ca.gov Appendix -1 Campaign Manual 2 August 2023 Appendix Appendix – About the Political Reform Act/ How to Get Help The Political Reform Act of 1974 The Political Reform Act (the “Act”) was a voter-approved initiative on the 1974 primary election ballot. One of the major provisions of the Act requires the truthful and accurate disclosure of campaign contributions and expenditures during elections. The Fair Political Practices Commission The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) is the independent, nonpartisan state agency authorized to implement, interpret, and enforce the provisions of the Act. The Commission is comprised of a full-time chair appointed by the Governor, and four part-time commissioners, one each appointed by the Controller, the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, and the Governor. Each member serves a four-year term and no more than three members may be from the same political party. FPPC staff is comprised of four...

Fair Political Practices Commission advice@fppc.ca.gov Chapter 1.1 Campaign Manual 2 August 2023 Local City and County Contribution Rules (AB 571) This chapter contains information on contribution rules for candidates and officeholders seeking a city or county elective office in a city or county that has not already enacted a contribution limit pursuant to AB 571. (Please see Stats. 2019, Ch. 556 AB 571 Mullin). Along with the new campaign contribution limit, there are also other related provisions that formerly applied only to state level candidates that now apply to city and county candidates. Please note that none of the provisions of AB 571 discussed in this chapter apply to candidates in cities or counties for which the city or county has enacted contribution limits. You can search the FPPC’s website to see if the city or county has enacted a contribution limit. This chapter reviews: • Contribution Limits • Transfers • Post-Election Fundraising • Officeholder Committees • Legal Defe...

Fair Political Practices Commission advice@fppc.ca.gov Chapter 6.1 Campaign Manual 2 August 2023 chapter 6 Use of Campaign Funds The use of campaign funds by candidates, elected officials, and others who control the expenditure of campaign funds, is strictly regulated. The expenditure of campaign funds must be reasonably related to a political, legislative, or governmental purpose. If an expenditure confers a substantial personal benefit on the candidate, officeholder, or any individual authorized to approve campaign expenditures, the expenditure must be directly related to a political, legislative, or governmental purpose. A substantial personal benefit means an expenditure of campaign funds which results in a direct personal benefit with a value of more than $200. The following are examples of specific expenditures and the rules regarding the use of campaign funds for such purposes. If the examples are not helpful, contact the FPPC for assistance about whether or not a specific use of campa...

Entire Campaign Disclosure Manual 2 - Local Candidates, Superior Court Judges, Their Controlled Committees, and Primarily Formed Committees for Local Candidates Manual_2_Final.pdf Information Campaigns Education Document Manuals

Fair Political Practices Commission advice@fppc.ca.gov Chapter 1. 1 Campaign Manual 3 June 2024 chapter 1 What is a California Ballot Measure Committee? This manual is for “primarily formed” and “general purpose” ballot measure committees. A ballot measure committee is any person or group receiving contributions of $2,000 or more in a calendar year for the qualification, passage, or defeat of a ballot measure or ballot measures. Certain multipurpose organizations (e.g., nonprofits) may qualify as ballot measure committees. (See Chapter 13.) A What is a Measure? Under the Political Reform Act (“Act”), “measure” includes any proposition that is submitted or is intended to be submitted to a popular vote at an election by initiative, referendum, or recall procedure whether or not it qualifies for the ballot. An initiative, referendum, or recall becomes a measure when the proponents begin to circulate signature petitions to qualify the proposal for the ballot. A “measure” also includes any constit...

Fair Political Practices Commission advice@fppc.ca.gov Chapter 2. 1 Campaign Manual 3 June 2024 chapter 2 Finance Rules In any campaign, an accurate and organized record must be kept of all campaign receipts and expenditures. All individuals who handle receipts and make expenditures must be aware of and practice the recordkeeping procedures required by the Political Reform Act (“Act”) and FPPC regulations outlined in this manual. While others may be involved, the treasurer, ballot measure proponent, and principal officer(s), as listed on the committee’s Statement of Organization (Form 410), remain legally responsible for the accuracy of the records. A Campaign Bank Account Primarily formed and general purpose ballot measure committees should maintain a separate bank account. Pre-numbered and pre-printed checks with the committee’s name are useful in complying with the recordkeeping requirements discussed in this chapter. Ballot measure committees may not commingle campaign funds with any indi...

Fair Political Practices Commission advice@fppc.ca.gov Chapter 7. 1 Campaign Manual 3 June 2024 chapter 7 Advertisement Disclosures This chapter describes the disclosures required on mailings and other advertisements made by ballot measure committees. A disclosure is the portion of a political message that identifies the committee that paid for and authorized the communication. QUICK TIP: Advertisement disclosures are required even during the ballot qualification period. The basic disclosure for most communications is “Ad paid for by [committee name].” The disclosure ensures that the committee paying for the ad is identified. The Act does not regulate the truth or accuracy of political communications given that the First Amendment provides broad protection for political speech. Some advertisements must also include the words “Ad Committee’s Top Funder(s)” followed by the names of the top contributors to the committee paying for the advertisement. A Top Three Contributors of $50,000 or More...