Campaign Reports
Regular reporting is required throughout the campaign. Remember to use FPPC's filing schedules to help you file timely reports. Please see form instructions for details on how to complete the forms correctly.
Campaign Forms
| Form name | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Form 470 Recipient Committee Campaign Statement Short Form |
For committees raising or spending less than $2000 during the calendar year. |
| Form 460 Recipient Committee Campaign Statement |
For committees raising or spending $2000 or more for their campaign. |
| Form 497 24-Hour Contribution Report |
Additional report for committees receiving or making contributions of $1000 or more from a single source during the 90 days before the election. |
| Form 496 24-Hour Independent Expenditure Report |
Additional report for committees making independent expenditures of $1000 or more on a single candidate or ballot measure in the aggregate during the 90 days before the election. |
| Form 462 Verification of Independent Expenditures |
Additional report for committees making independent expenditures of $1000 or more on a single candidate or ballot measure in the aggregate. |
For more information on how to complete forms, see form instructions.
Where to File
- Local committees file reports with their local elections office, generally the city clerk or registrar of voters.
- State committees file reports with the Secretary of State, and possibly with the county of domicile.
- Judicial committees file reports with the Secretary of State, and possibly with the county of domicile.
For more information on where to file, see form instructions.
Electronic Filing
- Local committees must check with their local elections official to see if electronic filing is available or required.
- State committees must file electronically with the Secretary of State once they reach the $25,000 threshold of contributions and expenditures, aggregated. Paper copies are always required, even if filing electronically.
- Judicial committees must file electronically with the Secretary of State once they reach the $25,000 threshold of contributions and expenditures, aggregated. Paper copies are always required, even if filing electronically.
For more information on electronic filing requirements, see form instructions and the campaign disclosure manual for your committee.
When to File
Campaign reports may be due quarterly, or semi-annually. In election years, there are also pre-election reports. Committees may have to file additional special reports depending on the date and amounts of contributions and/or expenditures. Visit the filing schedule section of our website to find out what reports your committee is required to file for your election.
Amendments
There is no deadline for amending a report, but committees should file an amendment as soon as the error or omission is discovered. Filing an amendment quickly may prevent a complaint from being filed against the committee, or fines being levied by filing officials or the FPPC. It also helps prevent errors on future reports. To file an amendment, check the "Amendment" box at the top of the form and correct the page with the error or omission.
Penalties
Elections officials and the FPPC may fine committees if committees don't file campaign reports or if they file reports late. Fines may also be assessed for incorrect and incomplete statements. Examples of FPPC fines for campaign violations can be found on Enforcement's Case Resolution page.
Public Documents
Per Government Code Section 81008, campaign reports are public documents and subject to review by elections officials, members of the public, and other candidates and committees. Filing officers are required by law to provide public access to reports upon demand, with no conditions applied. Campaign reports posted online may be redacted at the discretion of the filing officer. Hard copies of campaign reports must be provided to the requestor with all information disclosed.
This toolkit provides guidance and a general overview of the rules for campaigns, but it does not replace any requirements under the Political Reform Act or Fair Political Practices Commission Regulations. Information here should be used in conjunction with a careful review of the applicable laws.