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.
WAC390-18-010, 020, 030, and 040 further outline requirements for sponsor identification on political advertising.
Background and Findings
• Mercer Islanders for Sustainable Spending is registered with the PDC as a political committee opposing City of Mercer Island Proposition #1 in the 2025 election.
• On September 12, 2025, the PDC received a complaint that the Committee's campaign yard signs did not include complete sponsor identification. PDC staff noted that although the signs did not include the required address of the sponsor and the size of the ID may not have met the required size requirement of at least ten percent of the largest font used, the signs did include the words "paid for by" followed by the name of the sponsor "Mercer Islanders for Sustainable Spending".
• The Committee has no recent Warnings or Violations from the PDC.
Summary and Resolution
Having reviewed the complaint and the supporting evidence, PDC staff has determined that the Committee 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 the Committee about the importance of providing complete sponsor identification on political advertising. The Committee are expected to comply with PDC statutes and rules in the future.
