Campaign Disclosure Manuals

The campaign disclosure manuals are user-friendly handbooks prepared to assist candidates, committees, treasurers and others in understanding the Act’s numerous and often detailed rules. The manuals contain examples of common fact patterns, answers to frequently asked questions, and “Quick Tips” to highlight important information. If you have questions not answered in the applicable manual, please contact the FPPC for Advice.

There are seven manuals categorized by the jurisdiction of the candidate, type of committee, contributor, or organization. To help you find answers faster, we have provided links below to each chapter within the manuals.

*Campaign Manuals 1-2 have been updated through November 1, 2023.*
*Campaign Manuals 3-7 have been updated through July 1, 2024.*

For information on new laws, please view the Recent Changes to the Political Reform Act.

For information on new regulations enacted monthly, please view Newly Adopted, Amended, or Repealed Regulations.

Campaign Disclosure Manual 1 – Information for State Candidates, Their Controlled Committees, and Primarily Formed Committees for State Candidates

• Entire Manual 1
• Introduction
• Chapter 1 – State Contribution and Expenditure Rules
• Chapter 2 – Getting Started
• Chapter 3 – Finances/Recordkeeping
• Chapter 4 – Contributions
• Chapter 5 – Contribution Restrictions
• Chapter 6 – Use of Campaign Funds
• Chapter 7 – Communications
• Chapter 8 – Advertisement Disclosures
• Chapter 9 – Committee Report - Form 460 
• Chapter 10 – When and Where to File Form 460
• Chapter 11 – After the Election
• Chapter 12 – Primarily Formed Committees Reporting Independent Expenditures
• Appendix – About the Political Reform Act/How to Get Help

Campaign Disclosure Manual 2 – Information for Local Candidates, Superior Court Judges, Their Controlled Committees, and Primarily Formed Committees for Local Candidates

• Entire Manual 2
• Introduction
• Chapter 1 – Local City and County Contribution Rules (AB 571)
• Chapter 2 – Getting Started
• Chapter 3 – Finances/Recordkeeping
• Chapter 4 – Contributions
• Chapter 5 – Contribution Restrictions
• Chapter 6 – Use of Campaign Funds
• Chapter 7 – Communications
• Chapter 8 – Advertisement Disclosures
• Chapter 9 – Committee Report - Form 460
• Chapter 10 – When and Where to File Form 460
• Chapter 11 – Additional Reports
• Chapter 12 – After the Election
• Appendix – About the Political Reform Act/How to Get Help

Campaign Disclosure Manual 3 – Information for Ballot Measure Committees

• Entire Manual 3
• Introduction
• Chapter 1 – What is a Ballot Measure Committee?
• Chapter 2 – Finance Rules
• Chapter 3 – Contributions
• Chapter 4 – Contribution Restrictions
• Chapter 5 – Use of Campaign Funds
• Chapter 6 – Communications
• Chapter 7 – Advertisement Disclosures
• Chapter 8 – 24-Hour/10-Day Contribution Reports (Form 497)
• Chapter 9 – Committee Reports
• Chapter 10 – When and Where to File Form 460
• Chapter 11 – Additional Reports
• Chapter 12 – After the Election
• Chapter 13 – Multipurpose Organizations
• Appendix – About the Political Reform Act/How to Get Help

Campaign Disclosure Manual 4 – Information for General Purpose Committees

• Entire Manual 4
• Introduction
• Chapter 1 – What is a General Purpose Committee?
• Chapter 2 – Statement of Organization (Form 410)
• Chapter 3 – Finance Rules
• Chapter 4 – Contributions
• Chapter 5 – State Contribution Limits
• Chapter 6 – Contribution Restrictions
• Chapter 7 – Use of Campaign Funds
• Chapter 8 – Communications
• Chapter 9 – Advertisement Disclosures
• Chapter 10 – 24-Hour/10-Day Contribution Reports (Form 497)
• Chapter 11 – Independent Expenditure Reporting
• Chapter 12 – Committee Reports (Form 460)
• Chapter 13 – When and Where to File Form 460
• Chapter 14 – Political Party Committees
• Chapter 15 – Multipurpose Organizations
• Appendix – About the Political Reform Act/How to Get Help

Campaign Disclosure Manual 5 – Information for Major Donor Committees

• Entire Manual 5
• Introduction
• Chapter 1 – Are You a Committee?
• Chapter 2 – Contributions
• Chapter 3 – Advertisement Disclosures
• Chapter 4 – Reporting Requirements
• Appendix – About the Political Reform Act/How to Get Help

Campaign Manual 6 – Information for Independent Expenditure Committees

• Entire Manual 6
• Introduction
• Chapter 1 – Committee Qualification
• Chapter 2 – Advertisement Disclosures
• Chapter 3 – Reporting Requirements
• Appendix – About the Political Reform Act/How to Get Help

Campaign Disclosure Manual 7 – Information for Slate Mailer Organizations

• Entire Manual 7
• Introduction
• Chapter 1 – What is a Slate Mailer Organization?
• Chapter 2 – Disclaimer Requirements
• Chapter 3 – Reporting Requirements
• Chapter 4 – Recordkeeping Requirements
• Appendix – About the Political Reform Act/How to Get Help