Political Reform Division
NOTICE: Digital Signature Campaign and Lobbying Filings
Digital Signature Filing Instructions for Campaign Filings
Digital Signature Filing Instructions for Lobbying Filings
Digital Filing Frequently Asked Questions
Beginning January 1, 2023, filers required by the Political Reform Act of 1974 to file a report or statement by paper with the Secretary of State may instead file the paper report or statement by email. Additionally, the requirement that a copy must accompany an original report or statement filed with the SOS in paper format has been eliminated.
All statements must be signed using a verified digital signature consistent with FPPC Regulation 18104(b) (2). To comply with this requirement, see FPPC guidance.
**IMPORTANT: If you are required to file electronically or online, that obligation and method of filing remains unchanged. This guidance pertains only to filings previously required to be filed by paper. Filing statements by email does not satisfy the online filing requirement under GC 84605 (Political Reform Act) to file electronically with the Secretary of State in CAL-ACCESS. If your filing is received and filed by email, it only fulfills your obligation to file a report or statement by paper.
Filings received with a scanned copy of a signature or without a digital signature that qualifies as a “secure electronic signature” pursuant to the FPPC regulation and guidance referenced above will not be processed.
The Political Reform Division administers provisions of California's Political Reform Act, including the law's most fundamental purpose of ensuring that "receipts and expenditures in election campaigns should be fully and truthfully disclosed in order that the voters may be fully informed and the activities of lobbyists should be regulated and their finances disclosed..."
The Political Reform Act was adopted as a statewide initiative (Proposition 9) by an overwhelming vote of the electorate in 1974. The law requires detailed disclosure of the role of money in California politics. This includes the disclosure of contributions and expenditures in connection with campaigns supporting or opposing state and local candidates and ballot measures as well as the disclosure of expenditures made in connection with lobbying the State Legislature and attempting to influence administrative decisions of state government.
Filing Information and Requirements
Electronic Filing Information
- Application for Password
- Cal-Online Free Online Filing Forms
- Approved Vendor Information
Campaign Filing Requirements
- Getting Started
- Current Filing Schedules
- Where to File
- Penalties
Campaign Disclosure Forms
- Campaign Forms and Instructions
Lobbying Filing Requirements
- Ethics Training
- Filing Deadlines
- Required Documents for Registration, Amendment, Termination, and Withdrawal
- Required Documents for Quarterly Disclosure Reports
- Penalties
Lobbying Forms
- Lobbying Forms and Instructions
What is Cal-Access?
Cal-Access provides financial information supplied by state candidates, donors, lobbyists, and others. Simply start by selecting either Campaign Finance Activity, Lobbying Activity, or Cal-Access Resources and we will guide you to the information.
