Paid for by disclaimers: basics for local candidates

Look at the bottom edge of almost any campaign sign or mailer and you will find a small line of text. It says who paid for it. That line is called a disclaimer, a disclosure statement, or simply the "paid for by" line.

It looks minor, but it matters. It tells voters who is speaking, and where a state requires it, leaving it off or getting it wrong can lead to a complaint or a penalty. The good news: once you learn your state's rule, you can use the same line on almost everything.

What a disclaimer is for

The idea is simple. Voters have a right to know who is behind a political message. If your campaign paid for a yard sign, the sign should say so. If an outside group paid for a mailer about you, its disclaimer should show that it came from them.

A typical candidate disclaimer names the campaign or committee that paid, for example: "Paid for by Friends of Jane Smith." Some states require more, such as a phrase identifying the item as political advertising, or an address.

Whose rules apply to your race

This is where many first-time candidates get confused. When you search for "campaign disclaimer rules," you will mostly find federal guidance from the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Those rules cover campaigns for federal office, such as Congress. They do not govern a race for county council, school board, city council or sheriff.

Local races follow state law, and sometimes city or county rules on top of it. The agency that explains them is usually your state ethics commission, campaign finance office, secretary of state or state election board. Your county election office can tell you which one to call.

Federal rules are still a helpful picture of how disclaimers work, so here is a quick look for contrast.

Federal rules, for contrast

For federal campaigns, the FEC says:

When a candidate's committee pays for and authorizes a communication, the disclaimer says the committee paid for it. The FEC's example is "Paid for by the Sam Jones for Congress Committee."
When another group pays but the candidate authorized it, the disclaimer names the payer and says the candidate's committee authorized it.
Printed disclaimers must sit in a printed box set apart from the rest of the content, be clearly readable and have reasonable color contrast.
Political committee websites available to the public need a disclaimer, and so do more than 500 substantially similar emails.
Some items are exempt, such as pens, buttons, pins and bumper stickers, and things where a disclaimer isn't practical, like clothing.

Remember, these are federal rules. Your state may match some of them, differ on others, or add requirements of its own.

A state example: Texas

Texas shows how state rules can differ. According to the Texas Ethics Commission, a political advertising disclosure statement must:

Include the words "political advertising" or a recognizable abbreviation such as "Pol. Adv."
Give the full name of the person who paid for it, or the candidate or committee that authorized it.
Appear on the face of the advertising and be legible.

Texas guidance also says bumper stickers still need the disclosure statement, which is different from the federal exemption. And road-visible signs such as yard signs and billboards need a separate notice that it is a violation of state law to place the sign in a highway right-of-way, with the exact wording set out in the guidance.

That is one state. Yours may look nothing like it. The lesson is to get your own state's rule in writing before you print anything.

Where your disclaimer usually goes

Once you know your wording, make a list of every place your campaign speaks in public and check each one. Depending on your state, that may include:

Yard signs and larger signs. See yard signs and printed materials.
Mailers, palm cards, door hangers and flyers.
Newspaper, radio and online ads.
Your campaign website, usually in the footer of every page.
Campaign emails and text messages.
Paid social media posts and boosted posts.
Videos you post or pay to promote.

Ask your printer to place the disclaimer before the proof stage, and check every proof yourself. A reprint costs far more than a careful look.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using federal wording without checking. "Authorized by" language and box rules may not match your state.
Using the wrong name. The payer is usually your committee, as registered, not just your personal name. See forming a campaign committee.
Type too small to read. If a voter can't read it, it may not count as legible.
Forgetting reprints and new formats. A sign design reused for a digital ad still needs a disclaimer.
Volunteers making their own materials. Homemade signs or flyers can create problems. Ask volunteers to use approved designs.

How to get it right the first time

Call or email your state ethics commission or election office and ask for the disclaimer rule for your office, in writing or as a link.
Write one standard disclaimer line for your committee and save it where your whole team can find it.
Note any special cases, such as small items, signs near roads, or broadcast ads.
Add the line to your website footer and every design template.
Check every proof before it goes to print or goes live.

Our sister company, CandidateLaunch, offers a disclaimer builder that can help you draft a line to check against your state's rules. Your state agency always has the final word.

Common questions

Do FEC disclaimer rules apply to my county or school board race?

No. Federal Election Commission rules cover federal campaigns such as Congress. Local races follow state law and sometimes local rules, which your state ethics commission or election office can explain.

What does a typical disclaimer say?

It usually names who paid for the material, such as "Paid for by Friends of Jane Smith." Some states require other wording. Texas, for example, requires "political advertising" or a recognizable abbreviation such as "Pol. Adv." plus the name of who paid.

Does my campaign website need a disclaimer?

Often, yes, depending on your state. Federal rules require disclaimers on political committee websites, and your state may treat a campaign website as political advertising. Check your state's rule and put the notice in your site footer.

Do small items like buttons need a disclaimer?

It depends on the state. Federal rules exempt items like pins, buttons and bumper stickers, but Texas guidance says bumper stickers still need its disclosure statement. Check before you order.

Sources

Rules change. Always confirm with your own state and local election offices.