ARA-13.02 - Campaign Finance: Definitions

Background: These rules are based on a voter-approved Charter amendment, related City Code, and subsequent court rulings.

For purposes of ARA 13.01 through ARA 13.05, the definitions set forth in Portland City Charter Section 3-308 and Portland City Code Section 2.10.080 apply, and:

1. “Candidate” is defined by ORS 260.005(1)(a) as of January 1, 2018. The definition is contained in Appendix B to ARA 13.
2. “Candidate Committee” is defined by the definition provided for “principal campaign committee” in ORS 260.039 – 260.041 as of November 8, 2016. The definition is contained in Appendix B to ARA 13.
3. “Communication,” as defined in CityCode Section 2.10.080 D., excludes government documents such as candidate filing forms; petitions for nomination; any documents or envelopes required for candidates participating in the Small Donor Elections program; or any other documents provided by a state, city, county, or other public agency.
4. “Complainant” means any person who has filed a complaint with the Auditor’s Office alleging a violation of the City’s campaign finance regulations.
5. “Complaint” means a written statement alleging one or more violations of the City’s campaign finance regulations. The statement must allege violations beyond conduct referenced in ARA 13.01(E) (Constitutional Limits on Enforcement) and:
   • Be filed by a complainant in accordance with this rule, or
   • Be issued by the Auditor when there is reason otherwise to believe that a violationof a campaign finance provision in City Charter Chapter 3, Article 3 has occurred.
6. “Contribution” is defined by City Code 2.10.080 E. to be the meaning set forth in ORS 260.005(3) and 260.007 as of November 8, 2016, but to exclude certain additional items specified in City Charter. The definition is contained in Appendix B to ARA 13.
7. “Digital Communication” means a communication that is placed or promoted on an online platform that serves to disseminate information to the public, including (but not limited to): social media, ad networks, or search engines.
8. “Dominant Contributor” has the meaning set out in City Code 2.10.080 F., as adjusted for inflation in Appendix A.

9. “Dominant Independent Spender” has the meaning set out in City Code 2.10.080 G., as adjusted for inflation in Appendix A.

10. “Election Cycle” is generally defined by City Code 2.10.080 H. However, for all candidates for city office in the November 2024 general election, the election cycle will run from November 9, 2022, through November 5, 2024.

11. "Expenditure”is defined by ORS 260.005(8) and 260.007 as of January, 2018. The definition is contained in Appendix B to ARA 13.
12. “Independent Expenditure” is defined by ORS 260.005(10) as of January 1, 2018. The definition is contained in Appendix B to ARA 13.
13. “Interested Parties” means the subject(s) of the complaint, the complainant, anyone who has previously requested notice of the complaint outcome, and any individual or entity that the Auditor’s Office has deemed relevant to the complaint.
14. “Political Committee” is defined by ORS 260.005(18) as of January 1, 2018. The definition is contained in Appendix B to ARA 13.
15. “Social Media” means any online platform through which users create or share content such as photos, videos, and text-based communications to and with various audiences. Examples include but are not limited to: Facebook, Twitter (X), YouTube, Reddit, and Instagram.