Civil remedies and sanctions
Seattle Mun. Code ch. 2.04, subch. VII, § 2.04.500
in effect2.04.500 - Civil remedies and sanctions
A. 1.
Upon determining pursuant to Sections 2.04.070 through 2.04.090 that a violation has occurred, the Commission may issue an order requiring the party to take particular action in order to comply with the law, and in addition, or alternatively, may impose sanctions up to $5,000 for each violation.
2. Upon determining that a contribution was illegally made or accepted, in addition to the remedies in subsection 2.04.500.A.1, the Commission may order the return of a contribution illegally made, and impose a penalty of two times the amount of a contribution illegally made or accepted by a person who violates Section 2.04.180, 2.04.200, 2.04.210, 2.04.215, 2.04.240, 2.04.290, 2.04.300, 2.04.370, or 2.04.480.
3. Upon determining that a report was filed excessively late, in addition to the remedies in subsection 2.04.500.A.1, the Commission may impose a penalty of two times the amount of each deposit or expenditure for each deposit or expenditure that was reported excessively late. A report is excessively late if it was due more than 21 days before the election in which the candidate or ballot proposition appeared on the ballot, but was not filed at least 21 days before that election. A report is also excessively late if it was due within 21 days before the election in which the candidate or ballot proposition appeared on the ballot, but was not timely filed.
4. In addition to the actions in subsections 2.04.500.A.1, 2.04.500.A.2, and 2.04.500.A.3, the Commission may forward the determination of violation to the Seattle City Attorney or the King County Prosecutor for prosecution. If the court finds that the violation of any provision of this chapter by any candidate or political committee probably affected the outcome of any election, the result of the election may be held void and a special election held within 60 days of such finding. Any action to void an election shall be commenced within one year of the date of the election in question. It is intended that this remedy be imposed freely in all appropriate cases to protect the right of the electorate to an informed and knowledgeable vote.
B. Whether or not there is an administrative determination as provided in subsection 2.04.500.A, the violation or failure to comply with the provisions of Sections 2.04.160 through 2.04.290 (regarding campaign reporting) or Section 2.04.370 (regarding contribution limitations) shall constitute an infraction, not subject to Title 12A, for which a monetary fine, not to exceed $5,000, may be assessed by a court ; however, a person or entity who violates Section 2.04.370 may be subject to a civil fine of $5,000 or be required to return the illegal contribution and pay a penalty of two times the amount of the contribution illegally made or accepted, whichever is greater. Violation of this Chapter 2.04 and existence of an infraction may be proven by a preponderance of the evidence and need not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. An action seeking to establish the fact of an infraction and imposition of a monetary fine under this section may be commenced by the City Attorney at a request of a majority of the Commission.
C. Any candidate who fails to comply with the requirements of this Chapter 2.04 or conditions of his/her campaign contract shall be ineligible to receive further such funds until in compliance. Any candidate who exceeds the expenditure limitation for which he/she has contracted shall immediately return to the appropriate City account $3 for every $1 he/she has overspent in that election to a maximum amount equal to the total sum of public funds he/she has received.
D. The following persons shall be liable for violation of this Chapter 2.04, and shall be subject to all penalties, civil remedies, and sanctions set forth in this Section 2.04.500, in Section 2.04.330, or elsewhere in this Chapter 2.04:
1. Each candidate whose campaign has violated any provision of this Chapter 2.04;
2. Each officer of a ballot proposition political committee or continuing political committee whose committee has violated any provision of this Chapter 2.04; and
3. Each individual violating any provision of this Chapter 2.04.
(Ord. 123070, § 22, 2009; Ord. 118569, §§ 20, 21, 1997; Ord. 117308, § 16, 1994; Ord. 112005, § 3, 1984; Ord. 111223, § 11, 1983; Ord. 110909, § 3, 1982; Ord. 109886, § 1, 1981; Ord. 108400, § 11, 1979; Ord. 107772, § 4, 1979; Ord. 106653, § 21, 1977.)
Source: City of Seattle, Seattle Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT2EL_CH2.04ELCACO_SUBCHAPTER_VIIVIEN_2.04.500CIRESAFetched: 11/1/2026