Where to File Campaign Statements and Reports - Candidates

The Political Reform Act sets out specific filing requirements and locations for candidates running for state and local office. The information below provides a guide to candidates on where to file campaign reports and statements, how to handle multiple jurisdictions and cross-filing, and information for candidates with multiple state committees.

The following charts describe the different types of reports and statements that may be required by candidates and their controlled committees, depending on the amount of money the candidate will raise or spend and whether the candidate will be listed on a ballot. These charts contain only the most common campaign reports and statements. Certain campaign activity may trigger additional reporting requirements. 

*For paper filings filed with Secretary of State: All paper filings may be filed by first-class mail or by email with a verified digital signature unless otherwise noted. Effective January 1, 2023, persons required to file a report or statement by paper with the Secretary of State’s Office may instead file by email (digitalfiling@sos.ca.gov) with a verified digital signature or other digital means as prescribed by the Secretary of State’s Office. Please visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information on how to file with a digital signature, or our Filing with a Digital Signature fact sheet.

Those candidates/officeholders who have a controlled committee for a state elected office (e.g. California Assembly, California Senate, Governor, etc.).

Electronic Filing: State candidates who raise or spend $25,000 or more are required to file electronically with the Secretary of State. Once the California Access Replacement System (CARS) system is live, all state committee filings will be done, online or electronically, with the Secretary of State.

*For paper filings filed with Secretary of State: All paper filings may be filed by first-class mail or by email with a verified digital signature unless otherwise noted. Effective January 1, 2023, persons required to file a report or statement by paper with the Secretary of State’s Office may instead file by email (digitalfiling@sos.ca.gov) with a verified digital signature or other digital means as prescribed by the Secretary of State’s Office. Please visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information on how to file with a digital signature, or our Filing with a Digital Signature fact sheet. 

Those candidates/officeholders who have a controlled committee for a county elected office (e.g. Planning Commission, Board of Supervisors, etc.).

*For paper filings filed with Secretary of State: All paper filings may be filed by first-class mail or by email with a verified digital signature unless otherwise noted. Effective January 1, 2023, persons required to file a report or statement by paper with the Secretary of State’s Office may instead file by email (digitalfiling@sos.ca.gov) with a verified digital signature or other digital means as prescribed by the Secretary of State’s Office. Please visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information on how to file with a digital signature, or our Filing with a Digital Signature fact sheet.

Those candidates/officeholders who have a controlled committee for an elected office that has jurisdiction over multiple counties (e.g. Utilities District, Water District, etc.).

*For paper filings filed with Secretary of State: All paper filings may be filed by first-class mail or by email with a verified digital signature unless otherwise noted. Effective January 1, 2023, persons required to file a report or statement by paper with the Secretary of State’s Office may instead file by email (digitalfiling@sos.ca.gov) with a verified digital signature or other digital means as prescribed by the Secretary of State’s Office. Please visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information on how to file with a digital signature, or our Filing with a Digital Signature fact sheet.

Those candidates/officeholders who have a controlled committee for a city elected office (e.g. City Councilmember, City Clerk, Mayor, etc.).

*For paper filings filed with Secretary of State: All paper filings may be filed by first-class mail or by email with a verified digital signature unless otherwise noted. Effective January 1, 2023, persons required to file a report or statement by paper with the Secretary of State’s Office may instead file by email (digitalfiling@sos.ca.gov) with a verified digital signature or other digital means as prescribed by the Secretary of State’s Office. Please visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information on how to file with a digital signature, or our Filing with a Digital Signature fact sheet.

Candidates who spend campaign money on independent expenditures supporting or opposing candidates or ballot measures, within 90-days of the election, plus on the day of the election, must file a Form 496 within 24 hours.

Where to File: The Form 496 will be filed with the filing officer of the jurisdiction in which the candidate or measure is being voted on. For example, a candidate committee that spends money on a mass mailing to support a state assembly candidate, without the assembly candidate’s knowledge or consent, would file the Form 496 with the Secretary of State. Or, a state PAC that sends a mailer supporting a city ballot measure, without the ballot measure commitee's knowledge or consent, would file the Form 496 with the local city clerk.

Filing Method: If required to be filed with the Secretary of State, then electronically even if the $25,000 electronic filing threshold has not been met. If required to be filed locally, then with the appropriate city or county via paper or electronically (check with the city or county to see if they have electronic filing). Please note if filed via paper, then it should be by email, fax, guaranteed overnight delivery, or personal delivery as required by Section 84204. 

NOTE: Form 462 (Verification of Independent Expenditures) is required to be filed within 10 days from the date of an independent expenditure that totals, in the aggregate, $1,000 or more in a calendar year to support or oppose a candidate or measure. The Form 462 is filed via email with the FPPC at Form462@fppc.ca.gov. 

It is not uncommon for a candidate to establish more than one committee for elective office or a committee for other purposes. The FPPC’s Regulation 18405 sets out the filing requirements to ensure that voters in all locations have access to campaign reports. 

Multiple Jurisdictions (Cross-Filing)

When an individual is simultaneously a candidate for elective state office and elective local office, or for elective office in two different local jurisdictions, they must file campaign statements for all committees they control with both jurisdictions on the dates the candidate is required to file semi-annual and preelection statements. The original statement should be filed with the relevant jurisdiction and a copy with the other location(s).

Example:

A San Diego city council member has an existing committee from the city council election. The council member opens another committee to run for State Assembly in a June election. Semi-annual and preelection statements required in connection with the June election are filed as follows:      

• Assembly Committee 
  • Electronic Filers: Secretary of State only –  Electronically and one paper original 
  • Non-Electronic Filers: Secretary of State paper original and City Clerk – one copy

• City Council Committee
  • City Clerk – Original and one copy
  • Secretary of State – One copy (the copy must be filed electronically if the Assembly Committee is an electronic filer)

Multiple State Committees

When a candidate or elected officer controls more than one state committee (including officeholder accounts, legal defense funds, or ballot measure committees), each of the committees must file preelection statements on the dates the candidate is required to file preelection statements in connection with their election to office.

Example:

An Assemblymember who is running for Senate in a June election currently has the following controlled committees open: Assembly officeholder account committee, committee for Senate election, and a primarily formed ballot measure committee. All three committees must file the two preelection statements due in connection with the Senate election in June. In addition, since all three are open committees, each committee must file semi-annual statements until it terminates.

NOTE: If a candidate controls a ballot measure committee, the candidate’s election committee is not required to file pursuant to the ballot measure committee filing schedule.

For additional information see Campaign Disclosure Manual 1 (State Candidates) and Campaign Disclosure Manual 2 (Local Candidates)

Candidate Form 700

Every candidate is required to submit a Candidate Statement of Economic Interests, also known as the Form 700. File the Candidate Form 700 no later than the final filing date for the declaration of candidacy or nomination documents. A candidate statement is not required if you filed an assuming office or annual statement for the same jurisdiction within 60 days before filing a declaration of candidacy or other nomination documents.

Who must file the Candidate Form 700:

• Candidates listed in Government Code Section 87200. 
• Candidates running for local elective offices that are designated in a conflict of interest code (e.g., county sheriffs, city clerks, school board trustees, and water board members).
• Exception: Candidates for a county central committee are not required to file the Form 700. 

Where to File:

• For state offices, Judicial offices, and multi-county offices, file with your elections official with whom you file your declaration of candidacy.
• For county offices, file with your county elections official.
• For city offices, file with your city clerk. 
• For Public Employee’s Retirement System (CalPERS) candidates, file with CalPERS.
• For State Teacher’s Retirement Board (CalSTRS) candidates, file with CalSTRS. 

Statutory and Regulatory Authority

Government Code sections 84215, 84605 and 84615

Regulation 18405

You should not rely on this webpage alone to ensure compliance with the Act. If you have any questions, you can Ask the FPPC for Advice.