Gallion, Jaclyn: Alleged Violation of RCW 42.17A.205, .555 for failure to file a C-1 candidate registration report after becoming a write-in candidate and for unauthorized use of public facilities. (EY 17, NOV 17)

Case

#27660

Respondent

Jaclyn Gallion

Complainant

Robert West

Description

On November 1, 2017, the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) received a complaint alleging that Jaclyn Gallion, may have violated RCW 42.17A.205 by failing to file a Candidate Registration report (C-1 report) after declaring her candidacy as a write-in candidate for the Spokane Valley City Council on her Facebook page.   

Staff reviewed the allegation listed on the complaint to determine whether a formal investigation or enforcement action is warranted. Staff reviewed all attachments submitted with the complaint, the statutes, and rules.  

Staff found Ms. Gallion personally posted comments on her Facebook page stating that she is writing her name on the Ballot. Ms. Gallion also posted a Facebook picture of herself posing with her name written on the Ballot for the Spokane Valley City Council Position 5, along with another picture of herself on a rack card with four other candidates for the Spokane Valley City Council. Her post included the hashtags #VoteforMe and #VoteForTheseFive. 

Ms. Gallion denied that she was a candidate for public office and said that her Facebook postings and comments were purely political commentary. She believes she was not a candidate because she did not make any expenditures or receive contributions from the public. 

Pursuant to WAC 390-37-060(1)(d), Ms. Gallion received a formal written warning concerning the failure to file a Candidate Registration after posting comments and pictures on social media that indicated a public declaration of candidacy and intent to become a write-in candidate for the Spokane Valley City Council Position 5 in 2017. The formal written warning includes staff's expectation that Ms. Gallion will file the Candidate Registration report in the future if she promotes or announces her candidacy for office on any public outlet or platform, which includes all social media platforms. The Commission  will consider the formal written warning in deciding on further action if there are future violations of PDC laws/rules by Ms. Gallion

Based on these findings, PDC staff dismissed this matter in accordance RCW 42.17A.755(1). 

Disposition

Case Closed with Written Warning

Date Opened

November 21, 2017

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.205, RCW 42.17A.555

Documents

• 27660 Gallion Jaclyn Addendum With Attachments.pdf
• 27660 Gallion Jaclyn Response.pdf
• 27660 Gallion Jaclyn Complaint.pdf
• Complaint Add - Gallion Posing With Write-In Ballot.pdf
• 27660 Gallion Jaclyn Complaint Return Letter.pdf