Public Disclosure Commission – September 4, 2026

Posted on October 2, 2026

DISCLOSURES

News and Tips from the Public Disclosure Commission

Tacoma attorney Lisa Kremer appointed to PDC

Governor Bob Ferguson has appointed a new member to the PDC: Tacoma attorney Lisa Kremer. Her first meeting was Aug. 27.

“I really believe in open government, and campaign finance disclosure laws are a key part of that,” Kremer said. “We’re putting our confidence and our faith in our candidates when we vote for them, so we need to know their motivations.”

Kremer is also a former journalist. Read more about her here. 

Participating in the November election? Mark your calendar for mandatory reporting dates

Candidates and committees registered as full-reporting and participating in the November general election must file three mandatory expenditure reports (C-4) due 21 and 7 days before the election, and on the 10th day of the following month. 

These reports are due regardless of campaign activity. This means that you must file a report even if your campaign has not raised or spent money during the reporting period.

For the 2026 general election, due dates are as follows: 

  • 21-day report: Oct. 13
  • 7-day report: Oct. 27
  • Post-primary report: Dec. 10

Mark your calendars! Failure to file these reports, or late filing, could result in PDC enforcement action. 

If your full-reporting campaign participated in the primary, you also must file your post-primary C-4 by Sept. 10. This report is also mandatory. Candidates: make sure to take steps to wrap up your campaign if you did not advance to the general. 

See more information on reporting deadlines and other key dates. 

Committees: Remember to update registration to reflect sponsorship, issues supported or opposed

Washington political committees must update their name to reflect any change in sponsorship status 60 days before an election in which it participates. 

Committees are considered to be sponsored when:

  • the committee receives 80 percent or more of its contributions from one “person” or from the person’s members, officers, employees, or shareholders, or
  • the person collects contributions for the committee by use of payroll deductions or dues from its members, officers, or employees.

Under RCW 29B.10.480, “person” includes an individual, partnership, joint venture, public or private corporation, association, and political party.

Committees can update their name by filing an amended campaign registration, or C-1pc. For help, contact PDC staff at pdc@pdc.wa.gov or 360-753-1111.

Committees may also wish to take this opportunity to update the portion of their registration listing supported or opposed issues or ballot measures. 

Remember last-minute reporting requirements before general election

In the 21 days before the general election, candidates and committees must file special reports of any contributions they receive totaling $1,500 in the aggregate from one source during that time period. 

Reports of these contributions must be filed within 48 hours of reaching the threshold, and include the amount of the contribution(s); the date or dates received; the name and address of the donor; and the receiving campaign’s name and address.

Campaigns receiving these contributions either file a contribution report (C-3) or a last-minute contribution report (LMC) within 48 hours.

Committees giving last-minute contributions meeting that threshold must report them within 24 hours. 

Any contributions disclosed on an LMC must also be reflected in regular C-3 and C-4 reporting.

File online here. 

pdcFAQ: When do I report an independent expenditure or electioneering communication?

Independent expenditures (IE) and electioneering communications are purchases made to support or oppose a candidate or ballot measure, or influence a vote, made without contributing directly to the candidate campaign or ballot measure committee, and independently of involvement with those committees.

Both are protected forms of free speech, and are not subject to contribution limits in Washington. 

Individuals and non-PAC entities must report IEs of $1,000 or more on a C-6within five days of the expense, and on this schedule in the lead-up to an election:

  • on the 10th of the month preceding the election
  • 21 days prior to the election
  • 7 days prior to the election
  • on the 10th of the month after the election

In cases of expenditures of $2,000 or more that are presented to the public within 21 days of an election, the C-6 report must be filed within 24 hours. PACs, which normally report IEs on their regular expenditure (C-4) reports, must also submit a C-6 in these instances. 

Follow these steps to file a C-6.

Key dates

Our filer assistance team is here for you.  ​​​ ​ ​​​

  • The PDC will be closed for Labor Day on Sept. 7.
  • The post-primary C-4 report is due on Sept. 10. This report is mandatory for full-reporting candidates and committees regardless of financial activity.
  • The PDC’s September regular Commission meeting is scheduled for Sept. 24.
  • The 21-day pre-general C-4 report is due on Oct. 13. This report is mandatory for full-reporting candidates and committees regardless of financial activity.
  • The last-minute contribution period begins Oct. 13 and lasts through Nov. 2.
  • Special reporting of large contributions begins Oct. 13 and lasts through Nov. 2.
  • The pre-general election campaign books inspection period begins Oct. 24 and lasts through Nov. 2.
  • The 7-day pre-general C-4 report is due Oct. 27. This report is mandatory for full-reporting candidates and committees regardless of financial activity.
  • The general election is on Nov. 3.

See all upcoming dates at the PDC’s online calendar.

​For questions, email us at pdc@pdc.wa.gov 

Sign up now for upcoming trainings

Do you have questions about filing or using the PDC’s online filing systems? It’s always a good time to learn more! Enroll now for free trainings coming up in the next few months. 

Space in our classes fills up quick – be sure to sign up in advance. 

Upcoming classes include:

  • Disclosure 101: Candidates and Committees at 10 a.m. Sept. 9 and 1:30 p.m. Oct. 14.
  • ​Walk-Through: Online Reporting of Campaign Activity (ORCA) at 10 a.m. Sept. 16 and 1:30 p.m. Oct. 21.
  • Lobbyist and Lobbyist employer reporting training: 1:30 p.m. Oct. 7.

Lunch and Learns

  • Using PDC data, for media and the public: 12 p.m. Sept. 10

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Find information about training, reporting deadlines and events on our online calendar. 

See more training content on the PDC’s YouTube channel.

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WA Public Disclosure Commission
711 Capitol Way, Olympia, WA 98504