Here's where you can find updates to filer guidance and timely reminders about how to properly disclose campaign or lobbying activity.
Don’t get caught having to re-enter all your ORCA data if your computer hard drive crashes or you lose your laptop. ORCA data that you enter is only stored on your machine. The PDC retains only the completed reports you file with ORCA, not the data you entered to create those reports. If you lose your data, you will most likely have to re-create the entire campaign.
We suggest you regularly create a backup and keep your data for five years after the campaign ends. Read more
A political committee that wants to contribute to a candidate running for the Legislature or one of the state executive positions (governor, attorney general, state auditor, etc.) must be able to show Read more
The PDC, in recognition of the extenuating circumstances created by COVID-19, in March added an option for elected and appointed officials to file a partial Financial Affairs Disclosure (F-1) with the information available to them.
We strongly encourage filers who used this option to complete their reports now if possible so that the information is available to the public as required by law. Finishing your report also will make submitting your next F-1 simpler because you will have Read more
This updates information that was posted July 20, 2020.
Public agencies should track video meetings for inclusion on their quarterly reports.
State law requires agencies to report in-person contacts with legislators or their staff members by public agency Read more
This was first posted April 9, 2020. It will be continuously updated.
PDC staff remain on the job – albeit remotely – and available to help with any filing problems you might have during this time. You can reach us at pdc@pdc.wa.gov or 360-753-1111.
Other state resources for information about COVID-19 are available at cornoavirus.wa.gov.
That said, we understand that candidates and Read more
The Washington State Public Disclosure Commission recognizes the challenges that campaigns and voters face during the continuing COVID-19 crisis.
The virus and public health efforts to stem its spread have altered ways the public and candidates can safely interact, as many traditional forms of campaigning have had to adapt to incorporate physical distancing.
On July 25, the 10-day campaign books inspection period for candidates and political committees participating in the Read more
Candidates and committees should prepare for a new requirement taking effect June 11 that will affect the receipt, reporting and handling of contributions as well as the reporting of certain expenditure activity.
The change stems from the Legislature's passage of Substitute Senate Bill 6152 dealing with foreign involvement and financing in campaign activities. The new law Read more
Beginning June 1, C-3 deposit reports will be due on a weekly basis instead of monthly for candidates and committees participating in the 2020 election.
C-3 reports become due each Monday beginning June 1st. On Monday, June 8th, all deposit activity for the period of June 1-7 must be reported.
C-3 reports for deposit activity during the period of May 1-31st are due no later than June 10.
Monday May 11 kicks off the 2020 candidate filing week in Washington state. Candidates who have filed for office with their county elections office or the Secretary of State should also check with the PDC about possible additional reporting requirements.
If you’re running for a state or local office in a jurisdiction with over 5,000 registered voters, or you intend to raise $5,000 or more for your election campaign, then you also need to file a C-1 candidate registration for the 2020 Read more
If you haven’t already done so, you must update to a new version of the Online Reporting of Campaign Activity (ORCA) software by April 28, 2020. The update is available through a download from the PDC website.
This update – to version 1.207 – is the latest step in a process that began last year with the launch of the PDC’s new candidate and committee registration application.
The new version Read more
If you are part of a Washington state retirement system for public employees, you can check the value of your retirement fund through the state Department of Retirement Services website.
If you are not yet retired, your personal DRS account can show you the value of your contributions, plus any earnings, to the system. You should report the number as an asset under investment account details, if the value exceeded $2,400 during the reporting Read more
We’re updating our Online Reporting of Campaign Activity (ORCA) software.
This update – to version 1.207 – is the latest step in a process that began last year with the launch of the PDC’s new candidate and committee registration application.
The new version makes technical changes necessary for eventually transitioning data into a web-based campaign reporting system for submitting C-3 and C-4 reports. That system is expected to replace ORCA in late 2021.
If you have recently filed a new candidate or committee registration and picked full reporting, you will need to get ORCA set up to begin tracking contributions and expenses.
After downloading ORCA, pick Setup Wizard. It will automatically populate with the current calendar year. You may need to change the year depending on your situation.
When candidates make joint purchases — say for a booth at the fair or food and beverages at an event — they need to be careful to make and report the payments correctly.
Each candidate should pay an equal share of the expenditure and make the payment directly to the vendor. Direct payment avoids a situation in Read more
Holding an auction or fundraiser? Using ORCA makes reporting these tasks easy.
Auctions: Before the auction make a list of donated items; include the description, fair market value, and the donor’s name, address and occupation/employer information if the donor is an individual. During the auction, keep track of who buys the item and the amount of the winning bid. Get the bidder’s name, address, and occupation/employer information if the bidder is an individual. Read more
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