FPPC Actions Bring Disclosure to Voters Ahead of General Election
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 25, 2022
For More Information Contact:
Jay Wierenga (916) 322-7761
The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), California’s governmental ethics and campaign disclosure agency, is again making pre-election efforts to make sure candidates and campaigns are filing all required campaign statements and including proper disclosures on advertisements to bring full disclosure to the public before Election Day. The FPPC Enforcement Division takes a number of steps to ensure voters have the vital information they need before an election.
Weeks ago, FPPC Enforcement Division staff began its Proactive Pre-Election Program by contacting city and county clerks to identify candidates who had not yet filed their first pre-election campaign statements for the November election. As of Monday, October 24th, 94% of candidates running for office in the counties and cities who participated in the Program have complied with the law and filed their first pre-election statements, two weeks before the November 8th General Election. Participating counties and cities sent 223 referrals as part of the Program for the first pre-election reporting period. As of yesterday, all but 13 candidates complied. FPPC staff is continuing to attempt to gain compliance from the remaining 13 candidates, and if necessary, will seek court orders to compel the candidates to file the missing campaign statements. Later this week, FPPC Enforcement Division staff will reach out to counties and cities to identify candidates who have not yet filed their second pre-election campaign statements, which are due on October 27, 2022.
“The Proactive Pre-Election Program is a successful program which encourages local clerks to notify us of any non-filers in their jurisdiction so that we are able to bring every candidate into compliance ahead of the election, when it matters most,” said FPPC Enforcement Chief Angela Brereton. “Our priority is not to penalize candidates, but to have them comply with the law so that voters have the legally required information available when they’re making decisions on how to vote.”
The FPPC AdWATCH program is another pro-active measure the FPPC’s Enforcement Division uses to gain disclosure for the public before the election. Following successful runs in 2018, 2020 and 2021, FPPC AdWATCH provides the public a way to participate in making sure there is proper disclosure on a variety of political advertising.
FPPC AdWATCH allows anyone to upload a picture of political advertisements such as mailers, yard signs, flyers, door hangers, billboard signs, social media posts, or a video of television ads and internet videos they think may not include the legally required disclosure. Anyone can upload images and/or videos from a desktop, laptop or from a mobile device. FPPC Enforcement Division then quickly views the ads to determine if there is proper disclosure and takes appropriate action if there is not. The portal allows the public the option to provide their name or remain anonymous and report the ad without filing a complaint with the FPPC. FPPC AdWATCH can be found on the FPPC website home page (http://www.fppc.ca.gov), and on the Enforcement tab (http://www.fppc.ca.gov/enforcement/adwatch.html).
“FPPC AdWATCH is an easy way for the public to help determine who’s behind some of the political advertising around the State,” said FPPC Chair Richard C. Miadich. “Not only does it help the public see who’s doing the advertising, but the public plays a vital role in helping our Enforcement Division do its job of making sure campaigns are following the rules and ensuring a level playing field.”
Finally, the FPPC Enforcement Division prioritizes election-related complaints in efforts to resolve allegations before the election, where possible. In addition to the 223 referrals received so far related to the Proactive Pre-election Program, since August, 235 complaints regarding candidates or measures involved in the November 8th General Election have been received, resulting in 13 open cases, and 12 complaints dismissed.
The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) is California’s governmental ethics and campaign disclosure agency.
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