Emerging issues around digital political ads

Commissioners heard an update about the work Vice Chair Fred Jarrett and Commissioner Russ Lehman are leading to research problems and potential solutions for the complex issues created by the rise of digital political advertising. PDC staff members… 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… read more

The five-member Public Disclosure Commission voted unanimously Thursday to refer two 2019 complaints against Google to the state attorney general's office.

The complaints (PDC case documents here and here) allege that Google violated state campaign finance laws that require commercial… 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

Commission fines former Olympia city manager

In a 4-1 vote, the Commission levied a $10,000 fine with half suspended against former Olympia City Manager Steve Hall. The fine was the result of a 2019 mailer the city created and sent urging voters to reject Initiative 976, following a City… read more

The Public Disclosure Commission today fined Olympia's former city manager $10,000, with half suspended, for a 2019 campaign mailer that urged voters to reject Initiative 976.

The decision to fine former City Manager Steve Hall came on a vote of 4-1, with Commissioner Russell Lehman… read more

This was first posted April 9, 2020. It will be continuously updated.

Many thresholds for reporting contributions were adjusted for inflation on April 1, 2023. See the PDC website for more information.

PDC staff remain on the job albeit remotely and available to help with any… read more

Financial affairs statements back online

After a temporary pause, the Commission voted to restore online access to Personal Financial Affairs (F-1) reports filed by elected and appointed officials. The reports went back online June 26.

Online access to F-1 reports was initially… read more

UPDATE 10/14: The PDC, in light of the continuing health crisis, continues to encourage campaigns to employ digital inspection of campaign books for the general-election inspection period that opens Oct. 24.

The Washington State Public Disclosure Commission recognizes the challenges that… read more

Emergency rules govern foreign involvement in financing campaigns

 

The Commission adopted emergency rules to implement a new state law governing foreign involvement in financing campaigns in Washington state.

The law, Substitute Senate Bill 6152, was approved during the… read more