As the 2020 election season heats up, political candidates in Washington County, Oregon are gearing up for their campaigns. However, with the rise of social media and digital advertising, there has been an increased focus on campaign advertising restrictions. In this article, I will share my expertise on the regulations and limitations that political candidates in Washington County, Oregon must adhere to when it comes to advertising their campaigns.
The Role of the Oregon Secretary of State
Before we dive into the specific restrictions in Washington County, it is important to understand the role of the Oregon Secretary of State in regulating campaign advertising. The Secretary of State is responsible for enforcing campaign finance laws and ensuring that all candidates follow the rules. One of the main responsibilities of the Secretary of State is to maintain a database of all campaign finance information for political candidates.This includes tracking contributions and expenditures, as well as monitoring compliance with advertising restrictions.
Disclosure Requirements
In Washington County, all political candidates are required to disclose any campaign advertising that they pay for. This includes traditional forms of advertising such as television and radio ads, as well as digital ads on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. According to the Oregon Secretary of State's website, any political advertisement must include a disclaimer stating who paid for the ad. This disclaimer must be clearly visible and easily readable by the audience. Failure to include this disclaimer can result in fines and penalties for the candidate. In addition to disclosing who paid for the ad, political candidates must also disclose how much they spent on the advertisement.This information is then made available to the public through the Secretary of State's database.
Limitations on Contributions
In order to prevent any one individual or organization from having too much influence on a political candidate, there are limitations on the amount of money that can be contributed to a campaign. In Washington County, the maximum contribution for a county office candidate is $1,000 per election cycle. It is important to note that these limitations apply to both monetary and non-monetary contributions. Non-monetary contributions include things like volunteer labor, donated goods or services, and in-kind contributions. These contributions must also be disclosed and counted towards the maximum limit.Restrictions on Corporate Contributions
In Washington County, corporations are not allowed to contribute directly to political candidates.This includes both for-profit and non-profit corporations. However, corporations can form political action committees (PACs) to support candidates. PACs are separate entities from the corporation and must follow their own set of regulations and limitations. They are required to disclose their contributions and expenditures, just like individual candidates.
Prohibitions on Coordinated Communications
Another restriction that political candidates in Washington County must adhere to is the prohibition on coordinated communications. This means that candidates cannot work together with outside groups or individuals to create advertisements or other campaign materials. For example, if a candidate were to collaborate with a Super PAC to create an advertisement, this would be considered a coordinated communication and would be prohibited.This is to prevent any outside influence on a candidate's campaign.
Enforcement of Restrictions
The Oregon Secretary of State's office takes the enforcement of campaign advertising restrictions very seriously. They have the authority to investigate any potential violations and can impose fines and penalties for non-compliance. In addition, any member of the public can file a complaint if they believe a candidate is not following the rules. The Secretary of State's office will then investigate the complaint and take appropriate action if necessary.Conclusion
As we can see, there are several restrictions and limitations that political candidates in Washington County, Oregon must follow when it comes to campaign advertising. These regulations are in place to ensure transparency and fairness in the election process. It is important for candidates to familiarize themselves with these restrictions and comply with them to avoid any penalties or fines.By understanding the rules and regulations, candidates can run a successful and ethical campaign in Washington County, Oregon.
