As used in this article “person” includes a firm, association, corporation, campaign committee or organization.
Campaign FundsSolicitation
Section § 20200
This law defines the term "person" as not just an individual but also includes entities like firms, associations, corporations, campaign committees, or organizations.
definition of person firms associations
Section § 20201
This law makes it illegal for anyone to raise money by implying or stating donations are for a recognized political party, using its name in any part of their own name, without getting written permission from specified party officials. This rule applies to any entity using a party's name that participated in the last primary election. The necessary approval can come from various party committees or leaders, depending on the situation.
Additionally, anyone who is soliciting funds legally under this law must carry credentials that include their name and the written consent for verification.
It is unlawful for any person that includes in any part of its name the name of any political party that was qualified to participate in the last preceding primary election, to directly or indirectly solicit funds for any purpose whatsoever upon the representation either express or implied that the funds are being solicited for the use of that political party unless that person shall have previously obtained the written consent of one of the following: a member of the national committee from California or the majority of the members of the national committee if there are more than two national committee members from California, chairman of the state central committee, executive committee of the state central committee, or executive committee of the county central committee of the party whose name is being used in the county in which the solicitation is to be made. If the county central committee of the party in that county does not have an executive committee, the written consent of the chairman and secretary of that county central committee is sufficient.
All persons soliciting funds in accordance with this section shall be furnished with adequate credentials bearing the name of the solicitor and a copy of the written consent that bears the signature of the person authorizing the solicitation.
political party fundraising party name use written consent requirement
Section § 20202
This law makes it illegal for anyone to use the name of a political candidate or committee when asking for donations unless they have permission from the candidate or committee. Getting permission doesn't mean the person asking for money becomes a controlled committee.
It is unlawful for any person who solicits funds for the purpose of supporting or promoting any candidates or committees to include in any part of its name the name of that candidate or committee unless that person shall have previously obtained the authorization of the candidate or committee or the candidate’s or committee’s designated agent to use the candidate’s or committee’s name in the name of that person.
Authorization by a candidate or committee shall not be construed as rendering the person soliciting funds a controlled committee as defined by Section 82016 of the Government Code.
soliciting funds political candidate committee authorization
Section § 20203
This law mandates that if someone is collecting campaign donations without being authorized by a candidate or their campaign committee, they must clearly state in any fundraising communication that they are not authorized. They must also clarify that the candidate or committee is not accountable for their actions. This notice must be prominent regardless of the medium used, such as ads, mail, or calls.
Any person who solicits or receives contributions on behalf of any candidate or committee for the purported and exclusive use of that committee or the candidate’s election campaign and who is not authorized by the candidate or committee or the candidate’s or committee’s designated agent to do so, shall include a notice in any fundraising communication, whether through any broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine, printed literature, direct mailing, or any other type of general public advertising, or through telephone or individual oral fundraising appeal, clearly and conspicuously stating that the person is not authorized by the candidate or committee and that the candidate or committee is not responsible for the actions of that person.
unauthorized fundraising campaign contributions fundraising communication
