Candidates and committees: Be prepared for pre-primary reporting requirements
On the eve of the 2026 primary election, candidates and committees need to be aware of several rules that apply during this period.
Watch your campaign email for filing reminders leading up to the election.
Mandatory expenditure reporting:
Candidates and committees participating in the primary and registered as full-reporting must file a C-4 report seven days before the election, on July 28. The report must be filed regardless of campaign activity. If your campaign raised or spent no money during the reporting period – July 15 – 27 – your campaign is required by law to file a C-4 reporting this.
Failure to file this report could result in PDC enforcement action.
Campaign books inspection:
In the 10 days preceding any election in Washington, members of the public may request the campaign books of account for candidates on the ballot, or committees participating in that election.
Campaigns designate an email address on their registrations for these requests. Make sure someone is monitoring this email in the 10 days before the election. Failure to comply with one of these requests as required by law could result in PDC enforcement action.
This period begins on June 25 and lasts through Aug. 3.
Large, last-minute contributions:
During the seven days before the primary, contributions from one source of $1,500 or more involving candidates and committees participating in that election must be reported in special reports of contributions (LMC). Contributors must file these reports within 24 hours of making the contribution, and recipients must file reports within 48 hours.
This period begins on June 28 and lasts through Aug. 3.
If you need assistance, contact PDC staff at pdc@pdc.wa.gov or 360-753-1111.
WA Public Disclosure Commission
711 Capitol Way, Olympia, WA 98504