Filing campaign finance complaints

Preparing to file a complaint

Before submitting a complaint, be sure to review the following: 

• Information and instructions on this page
• City's campaign finance webpage
• Important campaign finance resources
• City's campaign finance regulations 

Where to submit complaints

Go to online campaign finance complaint form

What to include in complaints

1. Name and contact information of person submitting complaint. The Auditor's Office is unable to accept anonymous complaints. However, complainants may request to keep information confidential.
    
2. Specific allegations and supporting documentation. The Auditor's Office accepts the following types of campaign finance complaints:
    
   • Political communication disclosure violations (City Code Section 2.10.030)
     Required disclosures were not included on communication related to a City candidate election.
      
   • Contribution violations (City Code Section 2.10.010)
     A contribution was given or received beyond the City's contribution limits.
      
   • ORESTAR registration violations (City Code Subsection 2.10.020 B.)
     An independent spender failed to register as a political committee in ORESTAR within the required timeframe.
      
   • Payroll deduction violations (City Code Subsection 2.10.010 C.)
     An employee was not allowed to make campaign contributions via payroll deduction.
      
   • Small Donor Elections program violations* (City Code Section 2.10.040)
     Prohibited funds were received by a candidate participating in the City's public campaign financing program.
     
     *The Small Donor Elections program is separate from the Portland City Elections. To file a complaint directly with this program, contact SmallDonorElections@portlandoregon.gov. 

Timeline for investigations

1. Complaint notice
   Issued to the complaint subjects within two business days of receipt of complaint.
    
2. Material submission period
   Relevant documentation may be submitted for a period of 10 business days.*
    
3. Determination released
   The Auditor's Office will issue a decision within 10 business days* after the material submission period.
    
4. Publication
   Recently completed investigations (complaints, responses, and determinations) are publicly posted through our enforcement webpage.

*If the Auditor's Office receives or issues a complaint within 30 calendar days of an election, both the material submission period and determination release date are reduced to five business days.