Washington State Public Disclosure Commission

Voters authorized the creation of the PDC in 1972 with the passage of Initiative 276, which declared that "The public's right to know of the financing of political campaigns and lobbying and the financial affairs of elected officials and candidates far outweighs any right that these matters remain secret and private.

"[1] Opponents called I-276 "well-intentioned but certainly over-enthusiastic legislation," and contended it would violate the privacy of campaign donors and discourage participation in the political process.

The laws governing the PDC are found in the Revised Code of Washington, Title 42, Chapter 17a.

The main function of the law is to require financial disclosures about political campaigns and lobbying contributions and expenditures.

[4] The Commission is a quasi-judicial body that hears cases that allege violations of these campaign finance and disclosure laws.