RCW 42.17A.320
Identification of sponsor—Exemptions.
(1) All written political advertising, whether relating to candidates or ballot propositions, shall include the sponsor's name and address. All radio and television political advertising, whether relating to candidates or ballot propositions, shall include the sponsor's name. The use of an assumed name for the sponsor of electioneering communications, independent expenditures, or political advertising shall be unlawful. For partisan office, if a candidate has expressed a party or independent preference on the declaration of candidacy, that party or independent designation shall be clearly identified in electioneering communications, independent expenditures, or political advertising.
(2) In addition to the information required by subsection (1) of this section, except as specifically addressed in subsections (4) and (5) of this section, all political advertising undertaken as an independent expenditure or an electioneering communication by a person or entity other than a bona fide political party must include as part of the communication:
(a) The statement: "No candidate authorized this ad. It is paid for by (name, address, city, state)";
(b) If the sponsor is a political committee, the statement: "Top Five Contributors," followed by a listing of the names of the five persons making the largest contributions as determined by RCW 42.17A.350(1); and if necessary, the statement "Top Three Donors to PAC Contributors," followed by a listing of the names of the three individuals or entities, other than political committees, making the largest aggregated contributions as determined by RCW 42.17A.350(2); and
(c) If the sponsor is a political committee established, maintained, or controlled directly, or indirectly through the formation of one or more political committees, by an individual, corporation, union, association, or other entity, the full name of that individual or entity.
(3) The information required by subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall:
(a) Appear on the first page or fold of the written advertisement or communication in at least ten-point type, or in type at least ten percent of the largest size type used in a written advertisement or communication directed at more than one voter, such as a billboard or poster, whichever is larger;
(b) Not be subject to the half-tone or screening process; and
(c) Be set apart from any other printed matter. No text may be before, after, or immediately adjacent to the information required by subsections (1) and (2) of this section.
(4) In an independent expenditure or electioneering communication transmitted via television or other medium that includes a visual image, the following statement must either be clearly spoken, or appear in print and be visible for at least four seconds, appear in letters greater than four percent of the visual screen height on a solid black background on the entire bottom one-third of the television or visual display screen, or bottom one-fourth of the screen if the sponsor does not have or is otherwise not required to list its top five contributors, and have a reasonable color contrast with the background: "No candidate authorized this ad. Paid for by (name, city, state)." If the advertisement or communication is undertaken by a nonindividual other than a party organization, then the following notation must also be included: "Top Five Contributors" followed by a listing of the names of the five persons making the largest aggregate contributions as determined by RCW 42.17A.350(1); and if necessary, the statement "Top Three Donors to PAC Contributors," followed by a listing of the names of the three individuals or entities other than political committees making the largest aggregate contributions to political committees as determined by RCW 42.17A.350(2). Abbreviations may be used to describe contributing entities if the full name of the entity has been clearly spoken previously during the broadcast advertisement.
(5) The following statement shall be clearly spoken in an independent expenditure or electioneering communication transmitted by a method that does not include a visual image: "No candidate authorized this ad. Paid for by (name, city, state)." If the independent expenditure or electioneering communication is undertaken by a nonindividual other than a party organization, then the following statement must also be included: "Top Five Contributors" followed by a listing of the names of the five persons making the largest contributions as determined by RCW 42.17A.350(1); and if necessary, the statement "Top Three Donors to PAC Contributors," followed by a listing of the names of the three individuals or entities, other than political committees, making the largest aggregate contributions to political committees as determined by RCW 42.17A.350(2). Abbreviations may be used to describe contributing entities if the full name of the entity has been clearly spoken previously during the broadcast advertisement.
(6) Political advertising costing one thousand dollars or more supporting or opposing ballot measures sponsored by a political committee must include the information on the top five contributors and top three contributors, other than political committees, as required by RCW 42.17A.350. A series of political advertising sponsored by the same political committee, each of which is under one thousand dollars, must include the top five contributors and top three contributors, other than political committees, as required by RCW 42.17A.350 once their cumulative value reaches one thousand dollars or more.
(7) Political yard signs are exempt from the requirements of this section that the sponsor's name and address, and the top five contributors and top three PAC contributors as required by RCW 42.17A.350, be listed on the advertising. In addition, the public disclosure commission shall, by rule, exempt from the identification requirements of this section forms of political advertising such as campaign buttons, balloons, pens, pencils, sky-writing, inscriptions, and other forms of advertising where identification is impractical.
(8) For the purposes of this section, "yard sign" means any outdoor sign with dimensions no greater than eight feet by four feet.
[ 2019 c 261 § 3; 2013 c 138 § 1; 2012 c 226 § 1; 2010 c 204 § 505; 2005 c 445 § 9; 1995 c 397 § 19; 1993 c 2 § 22 (Initiative Measure No. 134, approved November 3, 1992); 1984 c 216 § 1. Formerly RCW 42.17.510.]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—2019 c 261: See note following RCW 42.17A.350.
Advertising rates for political candidates: RCW 65.16.095.
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies
Chapter 42.17A - Campaign Disclosure and Contribution.
42.17A.001 - Declaration of policy.
42.17A.010 - Conservation district exception.
42.17A.020 - Statements and reports public records.
42.17A.055 - Electronic filing—Availability.
42.17A.060 - Access to reports—Legislative intent.
42.17A.065 - Access performance measures.
42.17A.105 - Commission—Duties.
42.17A.110 - Commission—Additional powers.
42.17A.120 - Suspension or modification of reporting requirements.
42.17A.125 - Revising monetary contribution limits, reporting thresholds, and code values.
42.17A.130 - Duties of attorney general.
42.17A.135 - Application of reporting requirements in small political subdivisions.
42.17A.140 - Date of receipt—Exceptions—Electronic filings.
42.17A.145 - Certification of reports.
42.17A.150 - Duty to preserve statements and reports.
42.17A.200 - Application of chapter—Exceptions.
42.17A.205 - Statement of organization by political committees.
42.17A.207 - Statement of organization by incidental committees.
42.17A.220 - Deposit of contributions—Investment—Unidentified contributions.
42.17A.225 - Filing and reporting by continuing political committee.
42.17A.230 - Fund-raising activities—Alternative reporting method.
42.17A.235 - Reporting of contributions and expenditures—Public inspection of accounts.
42.17A.240 - Contents of report.
42.17A.250 - Out-of-state political committees—Reports.
42.17A.255 - Special reports—Independent expenditures.
42.17A.260 - Special reports—Political advertising.
42.17A.270 - Earmarked contributions.
42.17A.300 - Findings—Intent—Rule-making authority.
42.17A.305 - Report—Information required—Time—Method—By whom—Penalty.
42.17A.310 - When a contribution.
42.17A.320 - Identification of sponsor—Exemptions.
42.17A.330 - Picture of candidate.
42.17A.335 - Political advertising or electioneering communication—Libel or defamation per se.
42.17A.340 - Responsibility for compliance.
42.17A.345 - Commercial advertisers—Public inspection of documents—Copies to commission.
42.17A.350 - Top five contributors to political advertisement.
42.17A.405 - Limits specified—Exemptions.
42.17A.417 - Foreign nationals—Contributions, expenditures, and electioneering prohibited.
42.17A.418 - Foreign nationals—Contribution certification.
42.17A.420 - Reportable contributions—Preelection limitations.
42.17A.425 - Expenditures—Authorization of and restrictions on.
42.17A.430 - Disposal of surplus funds.
42.17A.435 - Identification of contributions and communications.
42.17A.440 - Candidates' political committees—Limitations.
42.17A.442 - Contributions by political committees to political committees.
42.17A.445 - Personal use of contributions—When permitted.
42.17A.450 - Attribution and aggregation of family contributions.
42.17A.455 - Attribution of contributions by controlled entities.
42.17A.460 - Attribution of contributions generally—"Earmarking."
42.17A.465 - Restriction on loans.
42.17A.470 - Contributions on behalf of another.
42.17A.475 - Certain contributions required to be by written instrument.
42.17A.480 - Solicitation of endorsement fees.
42.17A.485 - Reimbursement for contributions.
42.17A.490 - Prohibition on use of contributions for a different office.
42.17A.495 - Limitations on employers or labor organizations.
42.17A.500 - Agency shop fees as contributions.
42.17A.550 - Use of public funds for political purposes.
42.17A.555 - Use of public office or agency facilities in campaigns—Prohibition—Exceptions.
42.17A.560 - Time limit for state official to solicit or accept contributions.
42.17A.565 - Solicitation of contributions by public officials or employees.
42.17A.575 - Public service announcements.
42.17A.600 - Registration of lobbyists.
42.17A.603 - Code of conduct—Verification—Penalty.
42.17A.605 - Photograph and information—Publication.
42.17A.610 - Exemption from registration and reporting.
42.17A.615 - Reporting by lobbyists—Rules.
42.17A.620 - Notification to person named in report.
42.17A.625 - Special reports—Lobbyists—Late contributions or large totals.
42.17A.630 - Reports by employers of registered lobbyists, other persons.
42.17A.640 - Grass roots lobbying campaigns.
42.17A.650 - Employment of unregistered persons.
42.17A.655 - Lobbyists' duties, restrictions—Penalties for violations.
42.17A.705 - "Executive state officer" defined.
42.17A.710 - Statement of financial affairs—Contents.
42.17A.715 - Concealing identity of source of payment prohibited—Exception.
42.17A.750 - Civil remedies and sanctions—Referral for criminal prosecution.
42.17A.755 - Violations—Determination by commission—Penalties—Procedure.
42.17A.765 - Enforcement—Attorney general.
42.17A.770 - Limitation on actions.
42.17A.775 - Citizen's action.
42.17A.780 - Damages, costs, and attorneys' fees—Joint and several liability.
42.17A.785 - Public disclosure transparency account.
42.17A.900 - Effective date—1973 c 1.
42.17A.904 - Construction—1973 c 1.
42.17A.905 - Chapter, section headings not part of law.
42.17A.906 - Repealer—1973 c 1.
42.17A.907 - Construction—1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 112.
42.17A.909 - Short title—1993 c 2.
42.17A.910 - Effective date—1995 c 397.
42.17A.911 - Captions—1995 c 397.
42.17A.915 - Effective dates—2005 c 445.
42.17A.917 - Effective date—2010 c 204 §§ 505, 602, and 703.
42.17A.918 - Effective date—2010 c 204.