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SEEC Administrative Rules

These rules interpret SMC 3.70, the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission's enabling ordinance. The rules establish procedures for the Commission's operations, including procedures for hearings, investigations, and enforcement of the codes the Commission is charged with administering.

SEEC Administrative Rules

Elections Code Rules

Browse Elections Code Administrative Rules and Executive Director's Rule

Download Elections Code Administrative Rules as single document

• Administrative Rules 1-14 were adopted by the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission at its November 7, 2007 meeting and took effect on December 11, 2007.
• Administrative Rule 15 was adopted by the Commission on February 2, 2011, and took effect March 30, 2011. Rule 15 was amended in July 2016.
• Rules 4.D and Rule 11 were amended on June 6, 2012.
• Executive Director's Rule covers Mini Campaign Reporting.
• Rule 14 was amended in August 2016.
• Rule 16 Implementing I-122 was amended in March 2019.
• Rule 17 was adopted on February 5, 2020.
• Rule 16 was amended on October 7, 2020.
• A rule revising maximum campaign valuations was adopted on October 7, 2020.
• An Emergency Rule regarding replacement democracy vouchers was adopted on April 8, 2021. This Rule shall no longer be in effect 48 hours subsequent to the Governor rescinding any proclamations or other authority mandating social distancing, such that person to person solicitation of Seattle voters is allowed or feasible, as determined by the SEEC Executive Director. Upon making that determination, the Executive Director shall immediately provide notice to any affected campaigns.

Ethics Code Interpretive Rules

These rules interpret SMC 4.16, the Code of Ethics.

Rule 1. Advisory Committee Rule

Rule 2. Gift Rule

Advisory Opinions are available on the SEEC's Ethics website.

Voters' Pamphlet Video Voters' Guide Rules

These rules interpret SMC 2.14, the Election Pamphlets Code (aka the Voters' Pamphlet or Voters' Guide Code).

Voters' Pamphlet Administrative Rules

Scanned Copy of Voters' Pamphlet Administrative Rules

Video Voters' Guide Administrative Rules

Scanned Copy of Video Voters' Guide Administrative Rules

Candidate Introduction Rules

The Commission will translate and publish a 150 word Candidate Introduction from each City of Seattle candidate as a way to introduce residents to the candidates before the Voters Pamphlet and Video Voters Guide are published. At their meeting on January 9, 2019, the Commission adopted these rules covering the Candidate Introductions.

Candidate Introductory Statement Rules

Scanned copy of Candidate Introductory Statement Rules

Lobbying Code Rules

These rules interpret SMC 2.06, the Lobbying Regulations (aka the Lobbying Code).

Lobbying Code Rules

Scanned Copy of Lobbying Code Rules

For more information about the Administrative and Ethics Rules, call 206-684-0595.

For more information about the Seattle's Elections, Lobbying and Voters' Pamphlet Rules, call 206-615-1248.

The official, paper copies of these rules are filed in the Seattle City Clerk's Office, 600 4th Ave. Floor 3.