Are there any prohibitions on advertising during election seasons?

Yes, there are prohibitions on advertising during election seasons in Washington. Advertising law in Washington dictates that any advertisement that is intended to influence voting in an election must be made publically known. This means that all advertisements must include contact information of the person, organization, or committee that funded or created the advertisement. Additionally, all advertisements must clearly state the source of funding for the advertisement itself. Organizations are not allowed to advertise for or against a candidate or ballot measure during an election season. Advertisers must also be aware of other election laws that may affect their advertisement. For example, if an advertisement is considered “electioneering communication”, it must have a disclaimer that states the name of the person, organization, or committee responsible for its content. Electioneering communications are defined as “any broadcast, cable, radio, or satellite communication which refers to a clearly identified candidate in the days immediately preceding an election”. Finally, in Washington, it is illegal to knowingly make any false statement concerning any candidate or proposition in any advertisement. Anyone who violates this law can be charged with a Class C felony. Overall, there are strict prohibitions in place in Washington to regulate advertising during election seasons. Advertisers must be aware of these rules to remain in compliance with state law.

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