Where we generate a state’s own “Paid for by” wording
We generate a state-specific “Paid for by” line for candidate committees in 12 states. Everywhere else, we generate the federal form and suggest confirming the wording with your counsel.
| Where | What we generate (sample names) | Based on | We ask you for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal offices | “Paid for by Friends of Jane Doe.” | 11 C.F.R. § 110.11 Checked 2026-08-08 | Nothing extra |
| Arizona | “Paid for by Friends of Jane Doe. Authorized by Jane Doe.” | A.R.S. § 16-925(A); definitions at A.R.S. § 16-901 Checked 2026-09-21 | Nothing extra |
| California | “Paid for by Friends of Jane Doe.” The state recommends this line on a candidate’s own website but does not require it there. | Cal. Gov. Code §§ 84502(a)(2), (c), 84504.3(c); FPPC chart 1 (09-2025) Checked 2026-09-21 | Nothing extra |
| Colorado | “Paid for by Friends of Jane Doe. Registered Agent: Sam Lee.” Based on our reading of the rule; confirm with your counsel. | C.R.S. § 1-45-108.3(1); SoS Guidance on Disclaimer Statements Checked 2026-09-21 | registered agent |
| Florida | Partisan race: “Political advertisement paid for and approved by Jane Doe, Democrat, for State Representative.” Nonpartisan race: “Political advertisement paid for and approved by Jane Doe for School Board.” | Fla. Stat. § 106.143(1)(a), (3), (6), (10) Checked 2026-09-21 | office sought, whether the office is partisan, party affiliation (partisan races only) |
| Illinois | “Paid for by Friends of Jane Doe.” Based on our reading of the rule; confirm with your counsel. | 10 ILCS 5/9-9.5 Checked 2026-08-09 | Nothing extra |
| Kentucky | “Paid for by Friends of Jane Doe.” | KRS 121.190(1) (eff. 2026-07-15) Checked 2026-08-09 | Nothing extra |
| Mississippi | “Paid for by Friends of Jane Doe. Approved by Jane Doe.” Based on our reading of the rule; confirm with your counsel. | Miss. Code Ann. § 23-15-897 Checked 2026-08-09 | Nothing extra |
| Nevada | “Paid for by Friends of Jane Doe.” Based on our reading of the rule; confirm with your counsel. | NRS 294A.348(4)-(5); definition at NRS 294A.009 Checked 2026-09-21 | Nothing extra |
| New Jersey | “Paid for by Friends of Jane Doe, 123 Main Street, Anytown.” Based on our reading of the rule; confirm with your counsel. | N.J.S.A. 19:44A-22.3; N.J.A.C. 19:25-13; ELEC guidance Checked 2026-09-21 | committee address |
| New York | “Paid for by: Friends of Jane Doe.” | N.Y. Election Law § 14-106(2) Checked 2026-09-21 | Nothing extra |
| Texas | “Political advertising paid for by Friends of Jane Doe.” | Tex. Elec. Code §§ 255.001(a)-(b), 251.001(16); 1 Tex. Admin. Code § 26.1 Checked 2026-09-21 | Nothing extra |
| Virginia | “Paid for by Friends of Jane Doe.” | Va. Code § 24.2-956; definitions at § 24.2-955.1 Checked 2026-08-09 | Nothing extra |
PACs and party committees get the federal form for committees that are not authorized by a candidate — “Paid for by [committee] and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee”, with the site’s address. State rules for PACs and parties are not researched yet, so in state races that federal form stands in.
How it works
Every Electbase site’s “Paid for by” line is generated from your committee details, not typed into a footer. It is on every plan, including the cheapest, and a site with no disclaimer cannot go live.
When your state is listed above, the line we generate follows that state’s rule. If a state needs a detail we don’t have yet, such as Florida’s party affiliation or Colorado’s registered agent, we ask for it on your Committee & compliance page. Until you add it, your site uses the federal wording. That never blocks publishing.
The wording stays editable, because your counsel may choose different lawful phrasing. When you publish, we compare your line with the one we would generate and tell you if they differ. We never overwrite it.
What this is not
This is a workflow aid, not legal advice. We generate wording from each state’s published rule and our research into it. We don’t certify that any disclaimer meets the law for your campaign. Confirm the final wording with your compliance counsel, especially where a row says it is based on our reading.
For the background on federal and state disclaimer rules, see our guide to “Paid for by” disclaimers.