Greene, Kris: Alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.205, .235 & .240 for failure to register & report as a local ballot measure committee. (EY '21'; Nov '21)

Case

#101696

Respondent

Kris Greene

Complainant

Terri Niles

Description

A complaint was filed alleging that Kris Greene violated either: (1) RCW 42.17A.205, .235, and .240 by failing to register and file reports as a local ballot measure committee in opposition to the Clark County Charter Amendments that appeared on the November 2, 2021 general election; or (2) RCW 42.17A.255 by failing to file reports of Independent Expenditure (C-6 report), by making expenditures in opposition to the Clark County Charter Amendments. 

Kris Greene stated in his response that he did not print or produce the "Vote No" yard signs.  He stated he did make maybe 30 “Vote No” yard signs available for pick up at his office in Clark County, and that most of the signs had been picked up by Mr. Richards.  He stated the Southwest Washington Federated Republican Women’s Club (SWFRWC) made the yard signs available to him.  He stated that he picked up the “Vote No” signs at the home of Carolyn Crain, first Vice-President of the SWFRWC. 
 
Mr. Greene stated that the SWFRWC printed the “Vote No” fliers and made them available to him.  He stated that he could not “recall the exact number” he made available or distributed and he noted he threw  away the remaining fliers the day after the election.  He estimated that he had about 50 fliers sitting on a table in the front lobby of his office “for folks to stop in and take them.  Mr. Richards picked up some also and I have no idea how many he took with him.” 

Mr. Greene stated that he spoke with Mr. Richards once or maybe twice, and met with him once at his office, concerning the Clark County Charter Amendments between October 1 through November 3, 2021.  He stated that his discussions with Mr. Richards were informational in nature and that they discussed their dissatisfaction “with no rebuttal statements in the voters’ pamphlet.”  He stated that both he and Mr. Richards felt “that we needed to get the word out to people we know who would be disturbed by the fact that there were no rebuttals, substantially harming the average voter to make an informed decision.” 

Mr. Greene stated that he did not solicit or accept any contributions to oppose the Clark Charter Amendments, and that he did not make any expenditure of his personal funds for any political advertisements. 

Based on these findings, staff has determined in this instance the activities undertaken by Kris Greene in opposition to several of the 2021 Clark County Charter Amendments, that included Mr. Greene making available “Vote No” yard signs and fliers at his place of business, are considered volunteer activities that did not require him to register and report as a ballot measure committee.   Mr. Greene did not solicit or accept contributions in order to engage in his activities, one of the prongs for determining a political committee, and he did not spend any personal funds to oppose the ballot measures.  Thus, he was not required to file an Independent Expenditures report (C-6 report). 

Based on this information, the PDC has dismissed the allegations against Cemal Richards in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).  

Disposition

Case Closed with No Evidence of Violations

Date Opened

December 15, 2021

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.205, RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240

Documents

• 101696 Greene Kris_copy of Just Vote No & Cemal Richards Complaint.pdf
• Email response from KRIS GREENE.pdf
• Kris Greene Complaint Return Letter and Cover Ltr (PDC Case 101696).pdf