Ashlee Johnson: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.320 by failing to include sponsor identification on political advertising (EY25 JUN25)

Case

#173736

Respondent

Ashlee Errin Johnson

Complainant

Suzanne Brooks

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) completed its review of a complaint filed with the PDC.

Applicable Laws and Rules

Per RCW 42.17A.320, all written political advertising, whether relating to candidates or ballot propositions, shall include the sponsor's name and address. 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.

RCW 42.17A.320 and WAC390-18-010, 020, 030, and 040 further outline requirements for sponsor identification on political advertising.

Background and Findings

• Ashlee Johnson is a first-time candidate running for School Director for Sedro Woolley SD 101 in the 2025 election.
• On June 2, 2025, the PDC received a complaint that the Johnson campaign yard signs did not include sponsor identification. PDC staff notified Ms. Johnson of the complaint and she took prompt action to address the issue. Ms. Johnson have indicated that she has corrected the signs she could readily locate to add the sponsor ID.
• Ashlee Johnson has no prior Warnings or Violations from the PDC

Summary and Resolution

Having reviewed the complaint and the supporting evidence, PDC staff has determined that Ashlee Johnson appears to have violated RCW 42.17A. After consideration of all the circumstances, further proceedings would not serve the purposes of the Fair Campaign Practices Act. Under WAC 390-37-070, the executive director, at any time prior to consideration by the Commission, may dismiss a complaint which on its face, or as shown by investigation, provides reason to believe that a violation has occurred, but also shows that the respondent is in substantial compliance with the relevant statutes or rules, or shows that formal enforcement action is not warranted.

Based on this, the PDC has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1) and WAC 390-37-060(1)(d). PDC staff is reminding Ashlee Johnson about the importance of providing complete sponsor identification on political advertising, specifically adding sponsor identification to both sides of yard signs and ensuring the sponsor information is in a font size at least ten percent of the largest size font used on the signs. Ms. Johnson is expected to comply with PDC statutes and rules in the future.

Disposition

Case Closed with Reminder

Date Opened

June 05, 2025

Areas of Law*

RCW 29B.30.050/42.17A.320

*On January 1, 2026, RCW 42.17A was recodified to RCW 29B