John Adler:  Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.320 for failure to provide complete sponsor identification on political advertising (EY25 JUN25)

Case

#174188

Respondent

John Adler

Complainant

Kelley Sauskojus

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) completed its review of the complaint filed by Kelley Sauskojus on June 12, 2025. The complaint alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.320 and WAC 390-18-010 by failing to include proper sponsor identification for political advertising, specifically, the failure to include sponsor identification on yard signs. 

Applicable Laws and Rules

RCW 42.17A.320 requires that all political advertising supporting or opposing a candidate or ballot proposition includes the sponsor's name and address. Previously, campaign yard signs 4 feet by 8 feet or smaller were not required to include sponsor identification. The Washington State Legislature removed that exemption by passing House Bill 2032 in 2024. In 2024, the PDC granted a one-time exemption to yard signs printed prior to the effective date of the law. Starting in 2025, all yard signs, regardless of when they were printed, must have sponsor identification. 

Background and Findings

• On May 22, 2025, the Respondent in this matter filed a candidate registration with the PDC for the position Mayor in the City of Black Diamond.  
• The complaint alleged that the Respondent's campaign failed to include the required sponsor identification language on its yard signs pursuant to the statutory scheme. The complainant included pictures/images of your signs with no sponsorship identification language as evidence of the alleged violation. 
• In a second written response received on June 20, 2025, the campaign stated: “I’ve ordered some stickers with sponsor info.” 
• On July 9, 2025, the campaign confirmed that all his signs were now affixed with stickers containing the required sponsor identification requirement.  

Summary and Resolution

Having reviewed the complaint and the supporting evidence, the PDC staff has determined that you appear to have violated RCW 42.17A. However, after consideration of all the circumstances, further proceedings would not serve the purpose of the law. Under WAC 390-37-070, the executive director, at any time prior to consideration by the Commission, may dismiss a complaint which on its face, or as shown by investigation, provides reason to believe that a violation has occurred, but also shows that the respondent is in substantial compliance with the relevant statutes or rules, or shows that formal enforcement action is not warranted.  

Based on this, the PDC dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1) and WAC 390-37-060(1)(d) and the PDC staff issued a reminder to the Respondent about the importance of including complete sponsor identification on political campaign yard signs in the future. 

Disposition

Case Closed with Reminder

Date Opened

June 13, 2025

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.320

Documents

• 174188 John Adler Complaint.pdf
• 174188 Adler John Complaint Response.pdf