These guidelines are distilled from the requirements in RCW 42.17A and WAC 390. Care has been taken to ensure the guidelines are accurate and concise. Nevertheless, they do not take the place of local, state, or federal laws. 

Filter by audience for reporting guidelines and restrictions relevant to you or your interest area. Filter by interpretations or declaratory orders to see the Commission’s statements on how the law applies in certain situations.  

 

  • Lobbyist Employer
      Title Type of Guideline Audience(s) Topic
      Contribution Limits General Candidates, Political Committees, Bona Fide Party Committee, Out-of-State Political Committees, Lobbyists, Lobbyist Employer Campaign Contributions, Contribution Limits
      Employee Withholding for Political Contributions General Lobbyist Employer, Public Agencies Campaign Contributions
      False Political Advertising

      False political ads, published with actual malice, are illegal.

      		 General Candidates, Political Committees, Out-of-State Political Committees, Sponsors of Independent Expenditures, Incidental Committees, Lobbyists, Lobbyist Employer Political Advertising
      In the matter of the Petition from Institute for Free Speech Regarding Pro Bono Legal Work

      The Commission issued an order concerning a non-profit organization's plan to provide pro bono legal services to a person who plans to appeal a ruling in a campaign finance court case. The order says the non-profit need not register or file reports with the PDC, nor disclose its donors, as long as it represents the person in his individual capacity in the appeal.  [Declaratory Order No. 18, issued May 27, 2021]

      		 Declaratory Order Candidates, Political Committees, Bona Fide Party Committee, Out-of-State Political Committees, Sponsors of Independent Expenditures, Incidental Committees, Lobbyists, Lobbyist Employer, Grassroots Lobbying, Public Agencies, Official filing financial affairs report, Elected Officials, Voters & the Public Enforcement Cases, Rulemaking
      Items Exempt from Sponsor ID General Candidates, Political Committees, Sponsors of Independent Expenditures, Incidental Committees, Lobbyists, Lobbyist Employer Political Advertising
      Limits on "Last Minute" Contributions General Candidates, Political Committees, Lobbyists, Lobbyist Employer Contribution Limits
      Lobbyist Duties and Restrictions General Lobbyists, Lobbyist Employer Registration, Lobbying
      Penalty waivers for Small Business Paperwork Violations Commission Interpretation Candidates, Political Committees, Bona Fide Party Committee, Out-of-State Political Committees, Sponsors of Independent Expenditures, Incidental Committees, Lobbyists, Lobbyist Employer, Grassroots Lobbying, Public Agencies, Official filing financial affairs report, Elected Officials, Voters & the Public
      Political Advertising Guide

      Learn the definition of political advertising and how to ensure your ad complies with state law.

      		 General Candidates, Political Committees, Out-of-State Political Committees, Sponsors of Independent Expenditures, Incidental Committees, Lobbyists, Lobbyist Employer Political Advertising
      Post-Election Deadlines for Candidate Contributions General Candidates, Incidental Committees, Lobbyists, Lobbyist Employer Reporting Deadlines
      Sponsor ID Placement and Size

      Sponsor identification rules on political advertising varies, depending on whether the ad is in print, on a billboard or poster, broadcast or online.

      		 General Candidates, Political Committees, Sponsors of Independent Expenditures, Incidental Committees, Lobbyists, Lobbyist Employer Political Advertising
      Sponsor ID: What to Include

      Political advertising must identify who is paying for it. Learn what details to include. 

      		 General Candidates, Political Committees, Sponsors of Independent Expenditures, Incidental Committees, Lobbyists, Lobbyist Employer Political Advertising