Form 501: Candidate Intention Statement

File your Candidate Intention Statement with the FPPC

Form 501 Builder

Candidate Intention Statement

Who Files

State and local office candidates — file Form 501 for each election for a specific office. A new Form 501 is not required for the general election or special general election if you already filed one for the connected primary or special primary election for the same office sought.
County Central Committee candidates who raise or spend $2,000 or more in a calendar year must file. Filing fees and statement of qualification fees do not count toward the $2,000 threshold.

File before you solicit or receive any contributions — or before making personal expenditures on behalf of your candidacy. This form is considered filed on the date it is postmarked or hand-delivered; ensure deadlines are met before mailing.

Bank Account Requirement

A separate campaign bank account must be established for each election. If you receive any contributions — regardless of amount — a bank account is required.

Exception: No bank account is required only if you will receive zero contributions and will make personal expenditures of less than $2,000 in a calendar year. Filing fees and statement of qualification fees do not count toward the $2,000.

State Candidates (including Judges)

Secretary of State
Political Reform Division
1500 11th Street, Room 495
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 653-6224

For filing with a verified digital signature, please access the Secretary of State's website for more information: www.sos.ca.gov

Note: more filing information provided after you create your form.

Local Candidates

Generally your county election office or city clerk. Electronic filing may be required — check with your local filing officer.

Note: more filing information provided after you create your form.

Before You Begin

  • Your name and street address
  • Office sought, agency name, district number
  • Election year and type
  • Jurisdiction (State, City, County, or Multi-County)
  • Party preference (if partisan office)

Your progress saves automatically.

Official FPPC Resources

📄 Official Form 501 (FPPC PDF)

📘 FPPC Campaign Disclosure Manuals

🌐 FPPC Website

Form 501 - Candidate Intention Statement

Step 1 of 3: Candidate Information
1
Candidate Info
2
Expenditure Limit
3
Verification

Part 1: Candidate Information

5 digits (e.g., 95814) or 9 digits (e.g., 95814-1234)
This list is just a shortcut — if your office isn’t shown, simply type it in. Put any district number in the District Number field below.
Leave blank if office has no districts. Numbers 1-999 only.
California qualified political parties. You can also type a custom party name if needed.
Amendment Limit (expenditure ceiling): State candidates may amend their acceptance/rejection no more than 2 times, as long as the limit has not been exceeded.

Part 2: State Candidate Expenditure Limit Statement

About the Voluntary Expenditure Ceiling:
  • The Voluntary Expenditure Ceiling applies to candidates for elective state office, including State Senate, Assembly, and statewide offices.
  • CalPERS and CalSTRS candidates, judges, judicial candidates, and candidates for local offices do not complete Part 2.
  • You must state whether you accept or reject the expenditure ceiling.

Voluntary Expenditure Limits Reference

Election Type Expenditure Limit
Primary / Special Election -
General / Special Runoff Election -

Limits are effective January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2026 (Regulation 18545)

Part 3: Verification

This is the date you're signing this form (typically today)
Filed under penalty of perjury. California campaign statements are signed under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California. When you sign and file your Form 501 — in wet ink or with a verified digital signature — you attest to the verification statement printed on the form: “I certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.” Campaign Comply does not collect your signature or certification.

Your Form 501 is Ready!

Public-record reminder: Once filed with the FPPC or your local filing officer, the information on this form becomes a public record. Only include information you are prepared to have made public.

OPTION 1: Print & Sign by Hand

RECOMMENDED - Easiest for Most Filers

Follow these steps:

  1. Download your filled PDF below
  2. Print the document
  3. Sign with a pen in the signature field (Part 3)
  4. File: Mail or hand-deliver to your filing office (see above)

OPTION 2: Adobe Digital Signature

FPPC-Compliant Electronic Filing - Signature Field Active
Digital Signature Field Ready: Your PDF has an active signature field that works with Adobe Reader's digital signature feature. Simply download, open in Adobe Reader, and click the signature field to sign.

Follow these steps:

  1. Download your filled PDF below
  2. Open in Adobe Reader (NOT your browser) - download free
  3. Click the signature field in the PDF
  4. Create your digital ID (first time only, ~10 min)
  5. Sign the document
  6. File: Submit to your filing office using the filing method they accept
Important: Under FPPC Regulation 18104, a filing office accepts electronic filings only “if permitted by the agency” — confirm the accepted filing method with your filing officer before submitting

Where to File Your Form 501

Next Step: File Form 410

Now that you've completed Form 501, you need to file Form 410 (Statement of Organization) to officially register your committee with the FPPC.

You can edit any field and generate a new PDF

How to Digitally Sign Form 501

Digital Signature Filing Steps

Step 1: Download Adobe Reader (if needed)

If you don't already have Adobe Reader installed, download it for free:

Download Adobe Reader (Free)

Step 2: Open Your Filled PDF in Adobe Reader

Download your filled Form 501 PDF and open it in Adobe Reader (not in your web browser). Browser PDF viewers (Chrome, Edge) do not support digital signatures.

Step 3: Click the Signature Field

Locate and click on the signature field in the PDF. You'll see a dialog box that says "Sign with a Digital ID."

Step 4: Create Your Digital ID (First Time Only)

If you don't have a Digital ID:

  1. Click "Configure New Digital ID"
  2. Select "Create a new Digital ID"
  3. Choose "Save to File"
  4. Fill in your name, email address, and organization
  5. Leave defaults: US - UNITED STATES, 2048-bit RSA, Digital Signatures
  6. Create a password for your Digital ID
  7. Save the Digital ID file in a secure location

Step 5: Sign the Document

  1. Select your Digital ID and click "Continue"
  2. Enter your Digital ID password
  3. Click "Sign"
  4. Save the signed document with a new filename

Step 6: Email the Signed Document

Critical: Send the digitally signed PDF to your filing office using the filing method they accept.

First time using a self-signed Digital ID? Your filing officer may contact you to verify your signature — the FPPC's guide instructs filing officials to confirm a first-time self-signed signature with the filer by phone or email.
What is a Digital Signature?
A digital signature is a certificate-based electronic signature that ensures your identity and prevents document alteration after signing.

View FPPC Digital Signature Guide (PDF)
Need More Help?
View the complete FPPC official guide: Filing with a Digital Signature (PDF)
Or visit the FPPC website: www.fppc.ca.gov
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