Elijah White: Alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.320 by failing to include complete sponsor identification for political advertising (EY25 JUL25)

Case

#175431

Respondent

Elijah White

Complainant

Zac Eckstein

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

  • You are a first time candidate running for a position on the City of Chehalis Council.  You filed a Candidate Registration (C-1) on July 18, 2025.
  • A complaint was filed against your committee alleging a failure to include complete sponsor identification.  Upon being notified by the PDC you took immediate action to remedy the issues associated with your yard signs. You have indicated that "I will get stickers printed to correct the signs I already have and make an updated design for any future printing."  Per our discussion today, July 31, 2025, stickers have been attached to already deployed yard signs correcting the missing address for a complete sponsor ID.
  • You have no prior PDC Warnings or violations.

Summary and Resolution
Having reviewed the complaint and the supporting evidence, PDC staff has determined that you appear 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 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

July 10, 2025

Areas of Law*

RCW 29B.30.050/42.17A.320

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

Documents

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