State and local law impose certain restrictions and reporting requirements on political committees involved in City elections. These committees generally both raise and spend funds to influence City elections, and include general purpose committees, “primarily formed” candidate committees, and ballot measure committees.
These committees are required to file reports disclosing the money that they raise and spend pursuant to both state and local law. The rules applicable to political committees are broadly outlined in the links below.
More details are available in publications from both the Ethics Commission and the Fair Political Practices Commission, which are included in the “Resources” below. Remember that both state and local laws apply to political committees in San Francisco. For questions about how these laws might apply to political committees operating in San Francisco, please feel free to contact the Ethics Commission’s Education & Compliance staff for assistance.
Submit paper filings to the Ethics Commission during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Committee Disclosure Process
- Establishing a Committee
- Mandatory Training for Committee Treasurers
- Reporting Requirements
- Advertisement Disclosure Charts (Disclaimers)
- Filing Schedules
- Restrictions
Laws
The City’s Campaign Finance Reform Ordinance (CFRO) is found at Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code section 1.100 et seq.
The Ethics Commission has also promulgated regulations implementing CFRO.
CFRO also incorporates the provisions of the Political Reform Act related in local elections, as well as the implementing regulations promulgated by the Fair Political Practices Commission.
Resources
- FPPC Campaign Manual 2 for “Primarily Formed” Candidate Committees
- FPPC Campaign Manual 3 for Ballot Measure Committees
- FPPC Campaign Manual 4 for General Purpose Committees
- SFEC Guide for Contributors
- Disclaimer requirements
Visit the Commission’s Training & Resources page for a full listing of trainings and resources applicable to committees.