(1) Written and signed complaints alleging a violation of one or more specific provisions of WAC 390-32-010. The Fair Campaign Practices Code may be submitted to the commission by any person.

(a) Subject to the limitations in subsection (4) of this section, upon receipt of a complaint under subsection (1) of this section, the executive director shall forward a copy of the complaint to the respondent within twenty-four hours, accompanied by a request for a response to the complaint returned within five business days from the date of mailing.

(b) Upon receipt of any response, the executive director shall forward a copy of the response to the complainant. A copy of the complaint and the response shall be sent to news media at the expiration of the five business days for response. The complaint and the response shall be available at the commission office for public inspection and copying. If no response is received within five business days, the complaint shall be made public without a response.

(c) The commission will not issue comments or opinions about complaints or responses received under this subsection.

(2) As provided by WAC 390-37-060, and considering the factors set forth in WAC 390-37-061, the executive director may authorize the processing of a complaint alleging violations of chapter 42.17A RCW or Title 390 WAC according to the complaint publication process provided in this section.

(a) Subject to the limitations in subsection (4) of this section, upon receipt of a complaint authorized by the executive director for processing under this subsection, the executive director shall forward a copy of the complaint to the respondent, accompanied by a request for a response to the complaint to be returned within five business days from the date of mailing.

(b) Complaints authorized by the executive director for processing under this subsection shall be forwarded to the respondent within eight days prior to the date that ballots must be available under RCW 29A.40.070(1).

(c) Upon receipt of any response, the executive director shall forward a copy of the response to the complainant. A copy of the complaint and the response shall be sent to news media at the expiration of the five business days for response. The complaint and the response shall be available at the commission office for public inspection and copying. If no response is received within five days, the complaint shall be made public without a response.

(d) Except as provided under (a) or (b) of this subsection, the publication of complaints or responses under this subsection shall constitute the final disposition of complaints authorized by the executive director for processing under this section.

(3) Following the processing of a complaint under subsection (2) of this section, the executive director shall review the complaint and any response received. Whenever a complaint and response indicate that a material violation of chapter 42.17A RCW may have occurred and/or the respondent may not be in substantial compliance with the relevant statutes and rules, considering the factors set forth in WAC 390-37-061, the executive director may:

(a) Dispose of the complaint through an additional alternative response as provided in WAC 390-37-060; or

(b) Direct a formal investigation be conducted.

(4) The commission will make no attempt to secure a reply to and will make no public release of complaints received within eight days of the date that ballots must be mailed to voters under RCW 29A.40.070(1).

(5) The filing of a complaint with the commission under this section or any provision of chapter 390-37 WAC constitutes implied consent to have the complainant's identity disclosed.