Form 501. Candidate Intention Statement
The Form 501, also known as the Candidate Intention Statement, is a form required by the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). Its main purpose is to declare a candidate's intention to run for public office in California and establish a campaign committee.
The form consists of three parts: candidate information, committee information, and signature. Important fields include the candidate's name, contact information, office sought, and political party affiliation. The committee information includes the committee's name, treasurer, and bank account information. It is important to ensure that all information provided is accurate and up-to-date.
The parties involved in this form are prospective candidates for public office in California and the FPPC. It is important to note that filing this form does not mean that the candidate is officially running for office, but rather it is a declaration of intent to do so.
Data required when filling out the form includes personal and committee information, such as names, addresses, and bank account information. Additionally, candidates must attach a statement of organization, which provides more detailed information about their campaign committee.
Examples of practice and use cases for this form include individuals who have decided to run for public office in California and want to establish a campaign committee. By submitting this form, candidates will be able to legally raise and spend money for their campaign.
Strengths of this form include its simplicity and ease of use. However, weaknesses may include confusion around the specific information required and potential legal implications for inaccuracies on the form. Opportunities related to this form include increased transparency and accountability in California elections, while threats could include misuse of campaign funds or fraudulent activity.
Related forms include the Form 410, which is used to file a campaign statement of organization, and the Form 501c3, which is used to establish a nonprofit organization. An analogue of this form may be the Federal Election Commission's Statement of Candidacy form.
Filling out this form is a crucial step for candidates who wish to run for public office in California. It establishes the legal framework for their campaign committee and allows them to start raising funds. Once submitted, the form is stored by the FPPC and is available for public viewing.
Candidates can submit the Form 501 electronically or by mail to the FPPC's Sacramento office. It is important to ensure that all information provided is accurate and up-to-date in order to avoid potential legal issues down the line.