Getting Started
IMPORTANT!
- Candidates MUST file Form 501 before soliciting or accepting contributions.
- Candidates MUST deposit funds into the campaign bank account before spending money on the campaign. Candidates who spend money out of pocket for campaign expenses are subject to fines.
Forms
Before beginning your campaign, you must declare which office you are seeking. You must also set up and register your committee, and disclose information about your personal income and assets. To get your campaign started, complete and submit the forms noted below. See form instructions for information on how to complete the forms and where to file them.
- Form 501 – Candidate Intention Statement
- Form 410 – Statement of Organization OR Form 470 – Officeholder/Candidate Campaign Statement
- Form 700 – Statement of Economic Interests
Where to file these forms:
Form 501
Local candidates file their Form 501 with their local jurisdiction. State candidates will file with the Secretary of State's office.
Form 410
All candidates and treasurers that anticipate reaching the $2,000 threshold must file a Form 410 with the Secretary of State's office.
Form 700
Local candidates that must file a Candidate Form 700 will file with their local jurisdiction. Those who are running for state offices will file their Form 700 with the FPPC.
ID Number
Once you have submitted your Form 410 to the Secretary of State (SOS), you can visit their Cal-Access database and enter the name of your committee in the search bar to find your committee ID number. If your ID number has been issued, the search results will show it next to your committee name. If the system cannot find your ID number, the SOS may not have had time to issue it yet, or there was an error on the Form 410 and they have sent you a letter via USPS asking you to correct the error and re-submit the form.
If you would like to receive a copy of your approved Form 410 from the Secretary of State, send a self-addressed stamped envelope with your original Form 410.
Filing Deadlines
Throughout the campaign, you must file statements to report contributions and expenditures. Find the filing schedule for your campaign on our website.
More on Local Ordinances
The rules and regulations discussed on our website pertaining to those required by the Political Reform Act. Your city or county may have its own campaign ordinance. Please ask your local filing official if there are additional requirements that your campaign must follow. If the local rules are more restrictive than those of the Political Reform Act, your campaign must adhere to them. You can view all local campaign ordinances sent to the FPPC on our Local Campaign Ordinances page.
Assembly Bill 571 applies a default campaign contribution limit to city and county candidates when the city or county has not already enacted a contribution limit. See the FPPC’s list of cities and counties that have enacted contribution limits. The posted links and ordinances are the latest versions provided to the FPPC. For questions interpreting any of these provisions, or to check on any amendments to the ordinances, please contact the local jurisdiction directly.
Assembly Bill 2151 requires local government agencies to post campaign statements and reports on their agency’s website, within 72 hours of each applicable filing deadline, if they are filed in paper format. See the FPPC’s list of local agency filing systems.
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.