A complaint filed Oct. 23 with the California Fair Political Practices Commission alleges that Raquel Donoso, a candidate for the Ward 1 seat on the Contra Costa Community College District governing board, did not file 24-hour reports for seven contributions totaling $15,500, Richmondside reports. Donoso faces Pinole Councilmember Cameron Sasai for the seat left vacant by John Marquez. We profiled the race earlier this month.

What the rule is

California's Political Reform Act requires certain contributions to be reported within 24 hours so voters can see who is funding a campaign before they vote. The FPPC's campaign manual says Form 497 applies to contributions of $1,000 or more in the 90 days before an election or on election day, and that every contribution reported on a 497 must also appear on the committee's next regular statement, the Form 460.

What the complaint says

The seven contributions, from Aug. 27 to Oct. 12, include a $6,000 personal loan Donoso made to her campaign, $1,000 twice from Assemblymember Anamarie Avila Farias, and contributions from the Steamfitters Local 342, Boilermakers Local 549 and IBEW 302 PACs and the United Faculty of Contra Costa Community College District PAC. Richmondside verified that the contributions appeared on Donoso's on-time Form 460s but that the 497s were filed Oct. 27, a day after she learned of the complaint. The complaint also questions two campaign texts whose disclaimer listed an FPPC ID number rather than the candidate.

The responses

Donoso told Richmondside that every contribution was "fully and accurately disclosed" on her 460s and called the complaint a "tired playbook" aimed at discrediting an experienced woman of color. The complaint was filed by Mason Koski, a former vice president of the Contra Costa Young Democrats, which has endorsed Sasai; Koski says he acted on his own and Sasai was not involved. Sean McMorris of Common Cause told Richmondside such violations and opponent-filed complaints are not uncommon.

What happens next

The FPPC told Donoso it would decide within 14 days whether to investigate, refer the matter or take no action, so both parties should hear by Nov. 12, after Election Day.

How to vote

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls and vote centers close at 8 p.m., and mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and arrive within seven days. You can check your registration and ballot status at sos.ca.gov/elections. California lets you register and vote the same day at a vote center.

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