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- Pam Orebaugh: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.320 by failing to include sponsor identification on political advertising (EY25 JUN25)
Pam Orebaugh: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.320 by failing to include sponsor identification on political advertising (EY25 JUN25)
Case
#174506
Respondent
Pam Orebaugh
Complainant
Bryan Taylor
Description
The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) completed its review of the complaint filed with the PDC in this matter.
Applicable Laws and Rules
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
• You are a candidate running for Whatcom County Council in the 2025 election.
• On June 18, 2025, the PDC received a complaint that your campaign yard signs did not include complete sponsor identification. PDC staff notified you of the complaint and you took prompt action to address the issue. You have indicated that you have corrected the signs you could readily locate to add the sponsor ID, and have implemented a plan to correct additional signs that do not include the required sponsor information.
• You have no prior Warnings or Violations from the PDC
Summary and Resolution
RCW 42.17A.320 and WAC390-18-010, 020, .030, and .040 further outline requirements for sponsor identification on political advertising.
Background and Findings
• You are a candidate running for Whatcom County Council in the 2025 election.
• On June 18, 2025, the PDC received a complaint that your campaign yard signs did not include complete sponsor identification. PDC staff notified you of the complaint and you took prompt action to address the issue. You have indicated that you have corrected the signs you could readily locate to add the sponsor ID, and have implemented a plan to correct additional signs that do not include the required sponsor information.
• You have no prior Warnings or Violations from the PDC
Summary and Resolution
Having reviewed the complaint and the supporting evidence, PDC staff has determined that you appear to have violated RCW 42.17A.320. However, 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 dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1) and WAC 390-37-060(1)(d). The PDC staff is reminding you about the importance of providing complete sponsor identification on political advertising. You are expected to comply with PDC statutes and rules in the future.
Based on this, the PDC dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1) and WAC 390-37-060(1)(d). The PDC staff is reminding you about the importance of providing complete sponsor identification on political advertising. You are expected to comply with PDC statutes and rules in the future.
Disposition
Case Closed with Reminder
Date Opened
June 23, 2025
Areas of Law*
Areas of law not found
Documents
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