D. Committee Audits Each odd-numbered year, a total of 20 local jurisdictions are randomly selected for mandatory audit. All candidates in the selected jurisdiction are subject to audit if they have raised or spent $2,000 or more. Additionally, 25% of contested Superior Court offices are randomly selected. Candidates who raise or spend $15,000 or more in these selected races are subject to audit. In addition, the FPPC and the Franchise Tax Board are authorized to conduct discretionary audits.
QUICK TIP: The candidate and the treasurer may be fined by the FPPC if reporting and recordkeeping requirements are not met. Violations of the Act are punishable by fines of up to $5,000 per violation.
E. Campaign Bank Accounts Primarily Formed Committees
A non-candidate controlled “primarily formed committee” is not required to maintain a separate bank account; however, it is recommended that they do so. Pre-numbered and pre-printed checks with the committee’s name are helpful in meeting the recordkeeping requirements discussed in this chapter. Committees may not commingle campaign contributions with any individual’s personal funds. Candidate Controlled Committees Candidates who anticipate soliciting or receiving contributions from others, or who anticipate spending $2,000 or more of their personal funds in connection with their election, must open a campaign bank account. A candidate’s personal funds used to pay the filing fee or the ballot statement fee do not count toward the $2,000 threshold.
Fair Political Practices Commission advice@fppc.ca.gov
Chapter 3.5
Campaign Manual 2 August 2023 Page 168
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