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Ben Christly: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.320 for failure to provide sponsor identification on campaign advertising (EY25 OCT25)
Ben Christly: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.320 for failure to provide sponsor identification on campaign advertising (EY25 OCT25)
Case
#180412
Respondent
Ben Christly
Complainant
Robert Anderson
Description
The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) completed its review of a complaint filed with the PDC.
Applicable Laws and Rules
RCW
42.17A.320(3) sets forth the size and placement requirements for
identifying the sponsor of political advertising. Subsection (a) states
that the font size used in the sponsor identification statement for a
written advertisement or communication directed at more than one voter
must be at least the larger of the following: 1) ten-point type; or 2)
ten percent of the largest type used in the advertisement.
Yard signs were exempt from the requirement until June 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 meet all requirements of RCW
42.17A.320
Background and Findings
The
Respondent registered with the PDC on April 29, 2025, under the Mini
Reporting option, for position of County Charter Review Commissioner for
Clark County.
Upon review of the evidence, the yard signs indicated in the complaint lacked the address of the candidate’s campaign.
The Respondent has not been warned, admitted to a violation, or found in violation in the 2025 election cycle.
Summary and Resolution
Having
reviewed the complaint and the supporting evidence, PDC staff has
determined that you appear to have violated RCW 42.17A. After
consideration of all the circumstances, further proceedings would not
serve the purposes of the Fair Campaign Practices Act. 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 has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW
42.17A.755(1) and WAC 390-37-060(1)(d). PDC staff is reminding you about
the importance of timely reporting and sponsor identification on
political advertising. You are expected to comply with PDC statutes and
rules in the future.
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