Where to File Campaign Statements and Reports - Ballot Measure Committees
The Political Reform Act requires ballot measure committees to file campaign reports and statements. The information below provides a guide to ballot measure committees, including committees formed to support or oppose a LAFCO proposal, on the different reports and statements that may be required and where to file each report or statement.
The following charts describe the different types of reports or statements that may be required by ballot measure committees, depending on the amount of money the ballot measure committee will raise or spend and whether the ballot measure committee will be listed on a ballot. These charts contain only the most common campaign reports and statements. Certain campaign activity may trigger additional reporting requirements.
State Ballot Measure Committee
State Ballot Measure Committee: Committees formed to support or oppose a single state ballot measure, or two or more measures being voted on in the same state election.
Form |
Where to File |
Filing Method |
|---|---|---|
Form 410 (Statement of Organization) |
Secretary of State |
Paper original* |
Form 425 (Semi-Annual Statement of No Activity) |
Secretary of State |
Electronic Filers Electronically and Paper original* Non-Electronic Filers Paper original* |
Form 450 (Recipient Committee Campaign Statement – Short Form) |
Secretary of State |
Electronic Filers Electronically and Paper original* Non-Electronic Filers Paper original* |
Form 460 (Recipient Committee Campaign Statement) |
Secretary of State |
Electronic Filers Electronically and Paper original* Non-Electronic Filers Paper original* |
| Form 462 (Verification of Independent Expenditures) | Form 462 is filed with the FPPC within 10 days from the date of an independent expenditure that totals, in the aggregate, $1,000 or more in a calendar year to support or oppose a candidate or measure. | Email to FPPC at Form462@fppc.ca.gov |
| Form 496 (24-Hour Independent Expenditure Report) | See Form 496 below | See Form 496 below |
Form 497 (24-Hour Contribution Report) |
Secretary of State |
All Form 497s are filed electronically even if the $25,000 electronic filing threshold has not been met |
Form 511 (Paid Spokesperson Report) |
Secretary of State |
Electronic Filers Electronically and Paper original* Non-Electronic Filers Paper original* |
Form E-530 |
Form E-530 is filed by anyone spending or promising to pay $50,000 or more for a communication disseminated within 45 days of an election, if the communication clearly identifies a candidate for state elective office but does not expressly advocate the election or defeat of that candidate. It must be filed online with the Secretary of State’s office within 48 hours of the payment being made or promised. |
Online via Secretary of State
|
Form T10
|
Form T10 is filed with the FPPC by committees primarily formed to support or oppose a state ballot measure, or primarily formed to support or oppose a state candidate, that raise $1,000,000 or more, and have contributions of $10,000 or more from a single source. (This does not include a committee controlled by a state candidate for their own election). | Email to FPPC at T10@fppc.ca.gov.
In the subject line, you must include your committee ID number. |
*For paper filings filed with Secretary of State: All paper filings may be filed by first-class mail or by email with a verified digital signature unless otherwise noted. Effective January 1, 2023, persons required to file a report or statement by paper with the Secretary of State’s Office may instead file by email (digitalfiling@sos.ca.gov) with a verified digital signature or other digital means as prescribed by the Secretary of State’s Office. Please visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information on how to file with a digital signature, or our Filing with a Digital Signature fact sheet.
Multi-County Ballot Measure Committee
Multi-County Ballot Measure Committee: Committees formed to support or oppose a single ballot measure affecting more than one county, or two or more measures being voted on in the same election affecting more than one county.
Form |
Where to File |
Filing Method |
|---|---|---|
Form 410 (Statement of Organization) |
Secretary of State |
Paper original* |
County Elections Office of affected county with largest number of registered voters |
One copy |
|
Form 425 (Semi-Annual Statement of No Activity) |
County Elections Office of affected county with largest number of registered voters |
Paper (original and one copy) or Electronically (check with County) |
Form 450 (Recipient Committee Campaign Statement – Short Form) |
County Elections Office of affected county with largest number of registered voters |
Paper (original and one copy) or Electronically (check with County) |
Form 460 (Recipient Committee Campaign Statement) |
County Elections Office of affected county with largest number of registered voters |
Paper (original and one copy) or Electronically (check with County) |
| Form 462 (Verification of Independent Expenditures) | Form 462 is filed with the FPPC within 10 days from the date of an independent expenditure that totals, in the aggregate, $1,000 or more in a calendar year to support or oppose a candidate or measure. | Email to FPPC at Form462@fppc.ca.gov |
| Form 496 (24-Hour Independent Expenditure Report) | See Form 496 below | See Form 496 below |
Form 497 (24-Hour Contribution Report) |
County Elections Office of affected county with largest number of registered voters |
Paper or Electronically (check with County) |
Form 511 (Paid Spokesperson Report) |
County Elections Office of affected county with largest number of registered voters |
Paper or Electronically (check with County) |
Form E-530 |
Form E-530 is filed by anyone spending or promising to pay $50,000 or more for a communication disseminated within 45 days of an election, if the communication clearly identifies a candidate for state elective office but does not expressly advocate the election or defeat of that candidate. It must be filed online with the Secretary of State’s office within 48 hours of the payment being made or promised. |
Online via Secretary of State |
*For paper filings filed with Secretary of State: All paper filings may be filed by first-class mail or by email with a verified digital signature unless otherwise noted. Effective January 1, 2023, persons required to file a report or statement by paper with the Secretary of State’s Office may instead file by email (digitalfiling@sos.ca.gov) with a verified digital signature or other digital means as prescribed by the Secretary of State’s Office. Please visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information on how to file with a digital signature, or our Filing with a Digital Signature fact sheet.
County Ballot Measure Committee
County Ballot Measure Committee: Committees formed to support or oppose a single county ballot measure or two or more measures being voted on in the same county election.
Form |
Where to File |
Filing Method |
|---|---|---|
Form 410 (Statement of Organization) |
Secretary of State |
Paper original* |
County Elections Office |
One copy |
|
Form 425 (Semi-Annual Statement of No Activity) |
County Elections Office |
Paper (original and one copy) or Electronically (check with your County) |
Form 450 (Recipient Committee Campaign Statement – Short Form) |
County Elections Office |
Paper (original and one copy) or Electronically (check with your County) |
Form 460 (Recipient Committee Campaign Statement) |
County Elections Office |
Paper (original and one copy) or Electronically (check with your County) |
| Form 462 (Verification of Independent Expenditures) | Form 462 is filed with the FPPC within 10 days from the date of an independent expenditure that totals, in the aggregate, $1,000 or more in a calendar year to support or oppose a candidate or measure. | Email to FPPC at Form462@fppc.ca.gov |
| Form 496 (24-Hour Independent Expenditure Report) | See Form 496 below | See Form 496 below |
Form 497 (24-Hour Contribution Report) |
County Elections Office |
Paper or Electronically (check with your County) |
Form 511 (Paid Spokesperson Report) |
County Elections Office |
Paper or Electronically (check with your County) |
Form E-530 |
Form E-530 is filed by anyone spending or promising to pay $50,000 or more for a communication disseminated within 45 days of an election, if the communication clearly identifies a candidate for state elective office but does not expressly advocate the election or defeat of that candidate. It must be filed online with the Secretary of State’s office within 48 hours of the payment being made or promised. |
Online via Secretary of State |
*For paper filings filed with Secretary of State: All paper filings may be filed by first-class mail or by email with a verified digital signature unless otherwise noted. Effective January 1, 2023, persons required to file a report or statement by paper with the Secretary of State’s Office may instead file by email (digitalfiling@sos.ca.gov) with a verified digital signature or other digital means as prescribed by the Secretary of State’s Office. Please visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information on how to file with a digital signature, or our Filing with a Digital Signature fact sheet.
City Ballot Measure Committee
City Ballot Measure Committee: Committees formed to support or oppose a single city ballot measure or two or more measures being voted on in the same city election.
Form |
Where to File |
Filing Method |
|---|---|---|
Form 410 (Statement of Organization) |
Secretary of State |
Paper original* |
City Clerk |
One copy |
|
Form 425 (Semi-Annual Statement of No Activity) |
City Clerk |
Paper (original and one copy) or Electronically (check with your City) |
Form 450 (Recipient Committee Campaign Statement – Short Form) |
City Clerk |
Paper (original and one copy) or Electronically (check with your City) |
Form 460 (Recipient Committee Campaign Statement) |
City Clerk |
Paper (original and one copy) or Electronically (check with your City) |
| Form 462 (Verification of Independent Expenditure) | Form 462 is filed with the FPPC within 10 days from the date of an independent expenditure that totals, in the aggregate, $1,000 or more in a calendar year to support or oppose a candidate or measure. | Email to FPPC at Form462@fppc.ca.gov |
| Form 496 (24-Hour Independent Expenditure Report) | See Form 496 below | See Form 496 below |
Form 497 (24-Hour Contribution Report) |
City Clerk |
Paper or Electronically (check with your City) |
Form 511 (Paid Spokesperson Report) |
City Clerk |
Paper or Electronically (check with your City) |
Form E-530 |
Form E-530 is filed by anyone spending or promising to pay $50,000 or more for a communication disseminated within 45 days of an election, if the communication clearly identifies a candidate for state elective office but does not expressly advocate the election or defeat of that candidate. It must be filed online with the Secretary of State’s office within 48 hours of the payment being made or promised. |
Online via Secretary of State |
*For paper filings filed with Secretary of State: All paper filings may be filed by first-class mail or by email with a verified digital signature unless otherwise noted. Effective January 1, 2023, persons required to file a report or statement by paper with the Secretary of State’s Office may instead file by email (digitalfiling@sos.ca.gov) with a verified digital signature or other digital means as prescribed by the Secretary of State’s Office. Please visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information on how to file with a digital signature, or our Filing with a Digital Signature fact sheet.
Committees Formed to Support LAFCO Proposals
LAFCO Proposal: Committees formed to support or oppose a Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) proposal
Form |
Where to File |
Filing Method |
|---|---|---|
Form 410 (Statement of Organization) |
Secretary of State |
Paper original* |
County Elections Office |
One copy |
|
Form 425 (Semi-Annual Statement of No Activity) |
County Elections Office of county in which the proposal may be voted upon** |
Paper (original and one copy) or Electronically (check with your County) LAFCO may also require a copy |
Form 450 (Recipient Committee Campaign Statement – Short Form) |
County Elections Office of county in which the proposal may be voted upon** |
Paper (original and one copy) or Electronically (check with your County) LAFCO may also require a copy |
Form 460 (Recipient Committee Campaign Statement) |
County Elections Office of county in which the proposal may be voted upon** |
Paper (original and one copy) or Electronically (check with your County) LAFCO may also require a copy |
| Form 462 (Verification of Independent Expenditures) | Form 462 is filed with the FPPC within 10 days from the date of an independent expenditure that totals, in the aggregate, $1,000 or more in a calendar year to support or oppose a candidate or measure. | Email to FPPC at Form462@fppc.ca.gov |
| Form 496 (24-Hour Independent Expenditure Report) | See Form 496 below | See Form 496 below |
Form 497 (24-Hour Contribution Report) |
County Elections Office of county in which the proposal may be voted upon** |
Paper or Electronically (check with your County) LAFCO may also require a copy |
Form 511 (Paid Spokesperson Report) |
County Elections Office of county in which the proposal may be voted upon** |
Paper or Electronically (check with your County) LAFCO may also require a copy |
Form E-530 |
Form E-530 is filed by anyone spending or promising to pay $50,000 or more for a communication disseminated within 45 days of an election, if the communication clearly identifies a candidate for state elective office but does not expressly advocate the election or defeat of that candidate. It must be filed online with the Secretary of State’s office within 48 hours of the payment being made or promised. |
Online via Secretary of State |
*For paper filings filed with Secretary of State: All paper filings may be filed by first-class mail or by email with a verified digital signature unless otherwise noted. Effective January 1, 2023, persons required to file a report or statement by paper with the Secretary of State’s Office may instead file by email (digitalfiling@sos.ca.gov) with a verified digital signature or other digital means as prescribed by the Secretary of State’s Office. Please visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information on how to file with a digital signature, or our Filing with a Digital Signature fact sheet.
**If the LAFCO proposal results in a measure that will be placed on a ballot, the committee will file in the jurisdiction for that election.
General purpose ballot measure committees should refer to Where to File Campaign Statements - General Purpose Committees for information about where to file.
Form 496 (24-Hour Independent Expenditure Report)
Ballot measure committees that spend campaign money on independent expenditures supporting or opposing candidates or ballot measures, within 90-days of the election, plus on the day of the election, must file a Form 496 within 24 hours.
Where to File: The Form 496 will be filed with the filing officer of the jurisdiction in which the candidate or measure is being voted on. For example, a ballot measure committee that spends money on a mass mailing to support a state assembly candidate, without the assembly candidate’s knowledge or consent, would file the Form 496 with the Secretary of State. Or, a state PAC that sends a mailer supporting a city ballot measure, without the ballot measure commitee's knowledge or consent, would file the Form 496 with the local city clerk.
Filing Method: If required to be filed with the Secretary of State, then online or electronically. If required to be filed locally, then with the appropriate city or county via paper or electronically (check with the city or county to see if they have electronic filing). Please note if filed via paper, then it should be by email, fax, guaranteed overnight delivery, or personal delivery as required by Section 84204.
For additional information, see Campaign Disclosure Manual 3 (Primarily Formed Ballot Measure Committees).
Statutory and Regulatory Authority
Government Code sections 84215, 84252 and 84605
You should not rely on this webpage alone to ensure compliance with the Act. If you have any questions, you can Ask the FPPC for Advice.
How to Request Advice
If you have questions about your obligations under the Act you can request advice directly from FPPC staff