FPPC Filing Deadlines Every Candidate Must Know

Running for office in California is exciting — but it also comes with a maze of compliance rules that can trip up even the best-intentioned candidates. The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) requires campaigns to file regular disclosure reports, and missing even one deadline can mean more than just a fine. It can damage your credibility with voters, your opponents will weaponize it, and local press may seize on the narrative that your campaign is “hiding something.”

The good news? Staying compliant is easier than it seems — if you know the rules upfront and keep track of the key dates.

Why FPPC Deadlines Matter

Campaign finance laws aren’t just red tape; they exist to ensure transparency and trust in elections. By law, candidates must regularly disclose how much money they raise, where it comes from, and how it’s spent. Voters deserve to know who’s funding campaigns, and timely filings demonstrate that your campaign respects the process.

But here’s the catch: the FPPC doesn’t care if you’re a first-time school board candidate or a veteran legislator. A missed filing is a missed filing — and the penalties (financial and reputational) can hit hard.

The Most Common FPPC Filing Requirements

1. Form 501 – Candidate Intention Statement

   • Must be filed before you raise or spend a single dollar.

   • Think of this as your official green light to start campaigning.

2. Form 410 – Statement of Organization

   • Required once you raise or spend $2,000 or more.

   • This establishes your campaign committee and requires you to open a dedicated campaign bank account.

3. Form 460 – Recipient Committee Campaign Statement

   • The big one. Filed on a regular schedule, disclosing contributions and expenditures.

   • Filing frequency ramps up the closer you get to Election Day.

4. Form 497 – 24-Hour Contribution Report

   • Anytime you receive a contribution of $1,000 or more within 90 days of an election, you must file this within 24 hours.

   • This is one of the easiest to miss and the one opponents love to hammer.

The Filing Schedule: What Candidates Need to Watch For

FPPC filing schedules depend on the type of election (state, local, special) and the date of the election. But generally:

• Semi-Annual Filings – Due January 31 and July 31 every year.

• Pre-Election Filings – Typically due 40 days and 12 days before Election Day.

• 24-Hour Reports – Active in the final 90 days before an election.

The FPPC publishes a filing calendar each cycle, but don’t rely on memory or sticky notes. Build these dates into your campaign plan from the start.

The Real Cost of Missing a Deadline

• Financial penalties: $10 per day, per form — and it adds up quickly.

• Bad press: Even small-town races see local coverage when candidates miss filings.

• Opposition attacks: Expect mailers or ads claiming you’re “hiding donors” or “playing dirty.”

In politics, perception matters as much as reality. Compliance protects both.

How to Stay Ahead of FPPC Compliance

• Hire or designate a treasurer early. This is not a role to “figure out later.”

• Use a compliance calendar. Sync all deadlines into your campaign’s shared calendar.

• Don’t wait until the last minute. Build a system for logging contributions and expenses in real time.

• Get professional help if needed. A small investment in compliance support saves headaches down the line.

Final Word: Compliance Is Campaign Strategy

Missing FPPC deadlines isn’t just a paperwork issue — it’s a campaign risk. In today’s political environment, where trust in institutions is already fragile, the last thing a candidate should do is give voters one more reason to doubt them.

At CR Strategies, we help campaigns not only stay compliant but use transparency as a strength. Because when voters see you’re serious about playing by the rules, they’re more likely to trust you with leadership.