This page provides a comprehensive list of helpful tips that have appeared on our Resources for Committee Treasurers page. These tips are intended to help treasurers meet their obligations under the federal campaign finance law. To suggest a tip, please e-mail us at info@fec.gov.
| November 17, 2008 | Contributions to Retire Debts. Campaigns with net debts outstanding (i.e., more debt than cash on hand) after an election is over may accept contributions to retire the debt. Such contributions must be properly designated (e.g., 2008 general debt) and may not exceed the contributor's limit for the designated election. Click here for an example of a properly reported contribution that was designated to retire debt. Undesignated contributions received by a campaign count towards the limit for the candidate's next election (e.g., the 2010 primary for a House candidate). While those funds could be used to retire debt, a campaign with net debts outstanding may choose to ask the contributor to redesignate the contribution for 2008 general debt retirement, provided that redesignation does not cause the donor to exceed his/her limit for that election. Click here for an example of a properly reported redesignation of a contribution. For more information on the rules for raising money to retire debts, see Chapter 4, page 25, in the Campaign Guide for Congressional Candidates and Committees. |
| November 12, 2008 | New Election Cycle Begins. November 5, 2008, marked the beginning of a new election cycle for 2010 House campaigns, 2012 Presidential campaigns and 2014 Senate campaigns. For reporting purposes, campaigns aggregate receipts and disbursements on an election cycle basis. As a result, all 2008 campaigns must separate--both in their internal records and on their FEC reports--activity that occurred on or after November 5 from activity that occurred prior to that date, regardless of which election it relates to. The campaigns will disclose their separate election-cycle receipts and disbursements on the Post-Election Detailed Summary Page (Instructions) [Presidential Campaign Version / Instructions] required with the Post-General election report due December 4 (or for campaigns that were not in the general election, with the Year-End report due January 31). |
| November 3, 2008 | Handy Election Day Links. Tuesday, November 4, is Election Day! The Commission frequently receives questions and e-mails about election-related topics that are not related to campaign finance law, such as:
To help direct voters and other interested parties to the resources that can best help them with these questions, the FEC's Information Division has developed and posted a handy page of non-FEC-related questions it normally receives on Election Day and the federal and state agencies who can answer those questions. Visit http://www.fec.gov/info/election_day_links.shtml to access the Election Day Links page. |
| October 29, 2008 | Last-Minute Get-Out-the-Vote Activity by Party Committees. Party committees conducting GOTV activity now should be aware that such activity is considered to be federal election activity (FEA) under the Act. As such, it must be paid for with federal funds or with an allocation between federal and Levin (or Levin-eligible) funds. Engaging in reportable FEA will trigger monthly filing requirements for the committee. GOTV activity conducted on behalf of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential nominees does not result in a contribution to the campaign provided that the payment is not for general public communications or political advertising and does not come from funds designated for such candidates, and that the activity is conducted by volunteers. For more information, see the Campaign Guide for Political Party Committees, pages 47 and 64, and also Chapters 8 and 14. |
| October 20, 2008 | Last-Minute Filing Frenzy! For some committees, this week's pre-general report will be the final FEC filing required before Election Day. Many filers, however, may be required to submit additional notices to disclose last-minute activity. Campaign committees must disclose within 48 hours any contribution of $1,000 or more received between October 16 and November 1. (File FEC Form 6 [Instructions] or our on-line webform.) Individuals, 527 organizations and other groups making electioneering communications that aggregate $10,000 or more must also file 24-Hour notices to disclose the funds they raised and spent. (File FEC Form 9 [Instructions] or our on-line webforms.) PACs, party committees and individuals/groups making independent expenditures that aggregate $1,000 or more and are made after 10/15 but more than 24 hours before Election Day must file 24-Hour Notices to disclose the expenditures. PACs and party committees report such expenditures using Schedule E [PDF] [Instructions] [Online Webform]. Unregistered individuals/groups use FEC Form 5 [PDF] [Instructions] [Online Webform]. |
| October 14, 2008 | Do I Have to File a Pre-General Report? If you are a monthly filing committee, or an authorized committee of a candidate in the 2008 general election, the answer is automatically YES. If you are a quarterly filing PAC or party committee, you must file a pre-general report only if your committee made contributions or expenditures in connection with the general election during the time period October 1-October 15, 2008. The pre-general report is due Thursday, October 23. |
| October 6, 2008 | FEC Reports Due October 15 and 20. Reminder: Quarterly reports are due Wednesday, October 15, and Monthly reports are due Monday, October 20. If you need last-minute help with your FEC report, here are some resources: Every political committee registered with the FEC has a Campaign Finance Analyst who reviews its reports to ensure that they are accurate and complete. That Analyst is also available to answer your reporting questions. For those who prefer to remain anonymous, Communications Specialists are also available to assist filers with reporting questions. (Note: Tricky issues are best referred to your Analyst, since he/she will be reviewing your report.) To reach these FEC staff members, call toll-free 1-800/424-9530 (press 5 to reach your Analyst or 6 to speak to a Specialist). Reporting help is also available on-line at http://www.fec.gov/info/filing.shtml and in our Campaign Guides. For electronic filing assistance, contact the tech support number for your software vendor. FECFile users may call 1-800/424-9530 (extension 1307) for technical assistance. |
| September 29, 2008 | Ohio 11th District Special Election Reports Due. There will be a special primary in Ohio's 11th Congressional district on October 14, 2008, and a special general in that district on November 18, 2008. The reporting schedule for special pre-primary, pre-general and post-general reporting in regard to these elections is available online. Quarterly-filing PACs or party committees that make or have made contributions to any of the candidates in these special elections (or independent expenditures on behalf of or against them) may also have to file these or other additional reports. See this Federal Register notice for details. |
| September 22, 2008 | Rescheduled Louisiana Primary - Pre-Primary Reports Due Today (9/22). Due to Hurricane Gustav, the Louisiana primary election was postponed from September 6, 2008, to October 4, 2008. Should no candidate achieve a majority vote in the October 4, 2008, Primary Election, a Primary Runoff Election will be held on November 4, 2008, with a General Election on December 6, 2008. As a result, a pre-primary report is due today for candidates in those elections, as well as quarterly-filing PACs or party committees that made previously undisclosed contributions/expenditures in connection with those elections. In regard to contribution limits, campaign committees of candidates who were to participate in the September 6 election (including committees of unopposed candidates) may continue accepting contributions towards a contributor’s primary election limit up through October 4, 2008. Only candidates participating in a primary runoff election may retain contributions for that runoff election. Thus, independent candidates may not accept contributions for that election because they do not participate in the runoff. Also, candidates who received a majority of the vote in the primary election are not eligible to receive additional contributions because there will not be a runoff election as to their seat. |
| September 15, 2008 | September Reporting Reminder. Monthly filing committees are reminded that they have a report due Saturday, September 20. Please note that the Commission does not have statutory authority to extend filing deadlines, even when they occur on weekends. Electronic filers are reminded that they must use the new version 6.2 electronic filing format (see the June 17 tip for details.) |
| September 8, 2008 | Nonconnected Guide (2008 Edition) Now Available in Hard Copy. No more long waits for download! Printed versions of the 2008 updated version of the FEC's Campaign Guide for Nonconnected Committees are now available free of charge from the FEC's Information Division. Nonconnected committees include PACs sponsored by partnerships or LLCs, leadership PACs, and PACs organized by unincorporated groups of individuals. To order, call 1-800/424-9530 (press 6), or send an e-mail to info@fec.gov. |
| September 2, 2008 | Electioneering Communications Period for the General Election Begins Friday. Electioneering communications are television and radio communications that refer to a clearly identified federal candidate and are distributed to the relevant electorate within 60 days prior to a general election or 30 days prior to a primary, nominating convention or caucus (including special elections). Individuals and other entities who make electioneering communications for the general election between the period beginning Friday, September 5, and ending on Tuesday, November 4, that aggregate in excess of $10,000 must file FEC Form 9 with the Commission within 24 hours of distribution to the public. |
| August 25, 2008 | Contributions to Presidential Candidates. An individual may contribute up to $2,300 (multicandidate PAC: $5,000) to a Presidential candidate in the primary election campaign, whether or not the candidate accepts matching funds. (The $2,300 limit applies to the entire primary process, rather than to a single primary held in a particular state.) The primary election period ends on the date that the candidate accepts the nomination of the party. (For Democrats, that date will be 8/28/08, and for Republicans, that date will be 9/4/08.) After that date, a major party nominee who chooses to accept public funding for the general election may not accept any private contributions to further his election. An individual, however, may contribute up to $2,300 to the legal/accounting compliance fund of a publicly funded major party nominee (multicandidate PAC: $5,000). In the case of a major party nominee who is not publicly funded, an individual may contribute up to $2,300 (multicandidate PAC: $5,000) to the general election campaign. For more information, see the brochure Public Funding of Presidential Elections. |
| August 19, 2008 | August Reporting Reminder. Monthly filing committees are reminded that they have a report due Wednesday, August 20. Please note that the Commission does not have statutory authority to extend filing deadlines. Electronic filers are reminded that they must use the new version 6.2 electronic filing format (see the June 17 tip for details.) |
| August 11, 2008 | Now Appearing at Your County Fair: FEC Disclaimers! If your committee plans to maintain a booth or other presence at your county or state fair, be sure the literature you are distributing contains the appropriate disclaimer statements. Some items, such as bumper stickers, pins and tee-shirts, are exempt. Other items, such as brochures and yard signs, need a printed statement, enclosed in a box, that indicates who has paid for the communication, and if paid for by a party committee or PAC, whether it was authorized by a campaign. For more information, see the brochure Special Notices on Political Ads and Solicitations. |
| August 4, 2008 | 2008 Edition of Nonconnected Guide Now Available Online. The Campaign Guide for Nonconnected Committees has been updated and is now online at http://www.fec.gov/pdf/nongui.pdf. Hard copy will be available for order in a few weeks. This Guide is used by political action committees NOT sponsored by a corporation, labor organization or trade association. Instead, nonconnected committees include committees such as PACs sponsored by partnerships or LLCs, leadership PACs, and PACs organized by unincorporated groups of individuals. |
| July 28, 2008 | FEC Issues Public Statement on Millionaires' Amendment. The Commission has released a statement concerning the June 26 Supreme Court ruling in Davis v. FEC. See http://www.fec.gov/press/press2008/220080725millionaire.shtml. |
| July 21, 2008 | Updated Publications Now Available in Hard Copy. No more long waits for download! Printed versions of the 2008 updated versions of both the FEC's compilation of Federal Election Campaign Laws (also known as the "Orange Book") and the Campaign Guide for Congressional Candidates and Committees are now available free of charge from the FEC's Information Division. To order, call 1-800/424-9530 (press 6), or send an e-mail to info@fec.gov. |
| July 14, 2008 | July Filing Reminder. Quarterly filers have a report due Tuesday, July 15, 2008, and monthly filers have a report due on Sunday, July 20. Please note that the Commission does not have statutory authority to extend filing deadlines, even when they fall on weekends or holidays. Electronic filers are reminded that they must use the new version 6.2 electronic filing format (see the June 17 tip for details). |
| July 8, 2008 | New FEC Commissioners Assume Office: Will Hold First Open Meeting on July 10. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) will hold an open meeting on Thursday July 10, 2008. The meeting will be held at 10 a.m. at the Commission’s offices at 999 E Street, N.W. in Washington. This will be the first meeting for new Commissioners Cynthia L. Bauerly of Minnesota, Caroline C. Hunter of Florida, Donald F. McGahn of the District of Columbia and Matthew S. Petersen of Utah. They, along with Steven T. Walther of Nevada who served previously as a recess appointee, were unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate on June 24. |
| June 26, 2008 | Summer Deadlines and Vacations. It's Summer, so staff may be out of the office on vacation. In addition, the Commission will be closed Friday, July 4. Be sure to plan for these days off yet keep up with upcoming reporting deadlines. For many committees, the next report due is the July 15 quarterly report, but some have a report due sooner than that. The July quarterly is waived for committees filing the Kansas, Michigan, Missouri and Oklahoma Pre-Primary Reports, the Georgia Pre-Runoff Report, the Michigan Green Party Pre-Convention Report and the Maryland 4th District Post-General Report. Those campaigns - and quarterly-filing PACs or party committees that have made previously undisclosed contributions/expenditures in connection with those elections - must instead file a Pre-Election report that covers both the quarterly and pre-election periods. In some cases, the report is due on July 3. For coverage dates and filing deadlines, consult the chart of Congressional pre-election reporting deadlines, available online at http://www.fec.gov/info/charts_primary_dates.shtml. |
| June 17, 2008 | Reminder: Monthly Reports Due Friday, June 20 - Update Your Software. Committees filing on a monthly schedule must file disclosure reports covering the month of May by Friday, June 20. For additional information, please visit our Reporting Dates page at http://www.fec.gov/info/report_dates.shtml#monthly. On June 9, 2008, FECFile Version 6.2.1.0, supported by a new electronic filing format (Version 6.2), became available for download from the FEC Web site at http://www.fec.gov/elecfil/updatelist.html. Any report filed after that date must be filed using the new software. |
| June 9, 2008 | Collecting Agent Basics, Part 2. As the "collecting agent," an entity associated with a separate segregated fund, such as the fund's connected organization or the organization's state PAC, may collect and transmit federal PAC contributions. To do this, it must first deposit the money in order to separate out the money intended for the federal PAC from other funds and fees collected for other reasons. The funds may be deposited in the collecting agent's own account (as long as separate records are kept) or a separate transmittal account for this purpose. To forward the money within the timelines mentioned in last week's tip, the collecting agent may write one check (or electronically transmit) representing all of the federal PAC funds it has collected during the specific time period in question. The PAC reports the contributions as separate contributions received from each individual contributor (rather than as a transfer from the collecting agent). For more information, see pages 28 - 30 of the Campaign Guide for Corporations and Labor Organizations. |
| June 2, 2008 | Collecting Agent Basics, Part I. The term "Collecting Agent" is one that corporate/labor/trade PACs need to know. Collecting agent is the term used in FEC regulations at 102.6(b) and (c) to refer to the PAC's connected organization, or an affiliate or local unit of the connected organization, or a state PAC of any of these, when that entity collects and forwards money on behalf of the federal PAC (often as part of another activity). For example, a corporation acts as a collecting agent when it operates a payroll deduction plan for its corporate PAC. Another example: When the state PAC of a labor union collects money for both itself and for the union's federal PAC in a joint solicitation, that state PAC is acting as a collecting agent for the federal PAC. Entities that are collecting agents must follow the Act's recordkeeping rules, as well as timelines for separating and forwarding the federal PAC contributions (See the May 27 tip on those). You can read more about the collecting agent guidelines in the Campaign Guide for Corporations and Labor Organizations on page 28. Next week's tip will discuss how the collecting agent separates out the federal PAC funds and moves the money from its accounts to the federal PAC. |
| May 27, 2008 | Forwarding and Depositing Contributions - Deadlines for Treasurers. Did you know that treasurers have to pay attention to two different deadlines when a committee receives a contribution? First, when any person receives a contribution of any amount for a campaign (or a contribution in excess of $50 for a PAC or party committee), that person has 10 days to forward the contribution to the treasurer. (The deadline for forwarding contributions of $50 or less to a PAC or party committee is 30 days). See 11 CFR 102.8. Second, the treasurer must deposit the contribution within 10 days after he or she receives it from the person who initially collected it. 11 CFR 103.3(a). By the way, the date of receipt for reporting purposes is the date that person initially received the contribution (so the date and other records must be forwarded along with the contribution). For more information, see the chapters on fundraising and recordkeeping in your Campaign Guide and the regulations linked above. |
| May 19, 2008 | May Filing Reminder. Monthly filing committees are reminded that they have a report due tomorrow, May 20, covering the month of April. Also, campaigns in certain states (and quarterly filing PACs or party committees that made contributions to them or expenditures on behalf of them between April 1 and May 21) have a pre-election report due next week for which the mailing deadline is on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26. Please remember that filing deadlines are not extended even when they fall on federal holidays. Accordingly, if you are not an electronic filer, please plan to postmark your pre-election report by register/certified mail or by overnight delivery before the 26th. Reports filed by methods other than registered, certified or overnight mail, or electronically, must be received before the Commission’s (or the Secretary of the Senate’s) close of business on the last business day before the deadline (i.e., Friday, May 23). States affected include Arkansas, Maine, North Dakota, South Carolina and Virginia. For the complete chart of pre-election reporting dates, visit http://www.fec.gov/info/charts_primary_dates.shtml. |
| May 13, 2008 | An Updated Version of Federal Campaign Election Laws (aka the Orange Book) is Now Online. The FEC's compilation of the Federal Election Campaign Act and other laws related to federal elections has been updated to include the provisions of the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (HLOGA). The compilation (often referred to as the Orange Book) is now online at http://www.fec.gov/law/feca/feca.pdf (note: large file; please allow time to download). Printed copies will be available later this Summer. |
| May 5, 2008 | Trade Association or Membership Organization? Sometimes membership organizations are not sure whether the more specific rules for trade associations apply to them. While all trade associations are membership organizations under FEC rules, not all membership organizations are trade associations. For example, labor organizations and chambers of commerce fit into the broader definition of membership organization, but do not fit into the definition of a trade association. An organization is a trade association under FEC regulations if its membership is engaged in a similar or related line of commerce or business (i.e., all the members of the organization are in the same industry) and if the organization promotes and tries to improve the business conditions of its membership. To learn more about the rules that apply to trade associations, membership organizations and labor organizations, register now for the FEC's June 23-24 conference in Washington DC for these organizations. |
| April 28, 2008 | Maryland 4th District Special Election Reports. There will be a special general election in Maryland's 4th district on June 17. Due to the timing of this election, candidates in this election do not have to file a July Quarterly report on July 15; rather, they should file a special pre-primary report due June 5 (covering April 1 through May 28) and a special post-election report due July 17 (covering May 29 through June 30). If your PAC or party committee files quarterly reports this year, but makes or has made contributions since April 1 to any of the candidates in this special election (or independent expenditures on behalf of or against them), you may have to file these or additional reports. |
| April 21, 2008 | Nonconnected PACs - It's Your Turn for Training! The FEC invites nonconnected PACs, including leadership PACs and PACs sponsored by partnerships, to register for a one-day seminar in Washington, DC on May 14. Workshops will focus on fundraising rules, reporting and best practices. Visit http://www.fec.gov/info/conferences/2008/nonconnectedseminar2008.shtml for details and registration information. |
| April 14, 2008 | April Filing Reminder. Quarterly filers have a report due Tuesday, April 15, 2008, and monthly filers have a report due on Saturday, April 20. Please note that the Commission does not have statutory authority to extend filing deadlines, even when they fall on weekends or holidays. |
| April 7, 2008 | Some must file Pre- or Post-Election Reports instead of April Quarterly. The April Quarterly Report is waived for committees filing the Indiana, North Carolina and Pennsylvania Pre-Primary Reports; the Illinois/14th District, Indiana/7th District, Louisiana/1st District and Louisiana/6th District Special Election Post-General Reports, and the Utah Constitution Party, Utah Libertarian Party, Indiana Libertarian Party and Michigan US Taxpayers Party Pre-Convention Reports. Those campaigns--and other quarterly filers (such as PACs or party committees) that have made previously undisclosed contributions/expenditures in connection with those primaries, conventions and special elections--must instead file a Pre- or Post-Election report that covers both the quarterly and pre- or post-election periods. In some cases, the report is due this week. For coverage dates and filing deadlines, consult the chart of Congressional pre-primary reporting deadlines, available online at http://www.fec.gov/info/charts_primary_dates.shtml and the list of special election reports, available online at http://www.fec.gov/info/report_dates.shtml. |
| March 31, 2008 | Have You Filed Your Form 2 Yet? Incumbents are reminded that they must file a new Statement of Candidacy (FEC Form 2) (Form 2 Instructions) each election cycle. The Statement of Candidacy is due within 15 days after they have raised or spent more than $5,000 towards the next election, even if no other information about their committee is changing. In the block for "identification number," incumbents enter the same Candidate ID number they were issued for the previous cycle (beginning with H for House, S for Senate or P for President). (Note: Candidates who are filing Form 2 for the first time should leave the ID number section blank.) |
| March 24, 2008 | It’s Primary Season, Even for Unopposed and Independent Candidates. Unopposed and independent candidates are still entitled to a separate contribution limit for the primary (or convention, if in a state that is holding one to nominate candidates for the general). Unopposed candidates must consider the date on which the election is held to be the date of the election for purposes of designating contributions to the primary. Independent or third party candidates may choose one of these dates to be their "primary” date: (1) The last day on which, under state law, a candidate may qualify for a position on the general election ballot; (2) The date of the last major party primary, caucus or convention in the state; or (3) For third party candidates, the date of the nomination by their party. See page 18 of the Campaign Guide for Congressional Candidates and Committees for more information on how contribution limits work. In terms of reporting, both unopposed and independent/third party candidates, must file the pre-election report applicable to their state, even if they are not actually participating in a primary election or nominating convention. |
| March 17, 2008 | Reminder: Monthly Reports Due Thursday, March 20. Committees filing on a monthly schedule must file disclosure reports covering the month of February by Thursday, March 20. For additional information, please visit our Reporting Dates page at http://www.fec.gov/info/report_dates.shtml#monthly. |
| March 10, 2008 | Debt Disclosure, Part 3: Understanding Net Debts Outstanding. This is the third of our monthly tips on proper reporting of debts owed by committees. In the middle of primary season, campaigns are reminded that they may only accept contributions to retire debt from an election if they have net debts outstanding for that election -- that is, more debts outstanding than cash-on-hand for that particular election. For example, a campaign wins its primary on March 10, but has $150,000 in cash-on-hand raised for the primary, and $300,000 in debts remaining from the primary. The campaign has a net debt outstanding for primary 2008 of $150,000 ($300K in debts - $150K in cash on hand). As a result, the campaign may raise $150,000 in contributions specifically designed for "primary debt 2008," but only from contributors who have not already given the maximum amount for the 2008 primary election. Note that the campaign must continually adjust the net debts outstanding calculation to adjust for funds raised and bills paid, and it must retain this documentation in its records. Click here for more examples and information on how to comply with the net debts outstanding requirements. |
| March 3, 2008 | New FECFile E-mail Notification Feature! FECFile (the FEC's e-filing software) now has the capability to send confirmation receipts (or rejection notices) to two different e-mail addresses. This feature is really useful for those treasurers who have someone else e-file their committees' reports: not only can the person who actually uploads the report receive an e-mail, the treasurer can, too. Committees interested in using this new feature can now provide two e-mail addresses as part of the upload process when e-filing reports (this is done at the "Settings" step of the upload process). Filers who use vendor software should check with their vendors to see if the vendor incorporated this new feature in its software. To get the latest version of FECFile, click here. |
| February 25, 2008 | 2008 Coordinated Party Expenditure Limits are Now Available. The limits available for national and state party committees to spend in connection with the general election campaigns of candidates for federal office have been updated and are now available online. The limit for party committees to spend on 2008 general elections for House candidates is $42,100 ($84,100 in states with only one congressional district). The limit for Senate campaigns is based on a state's voting age population; thus the limits range from $84,100 in sparsely populated states to over $2 million in California. Finally, the national party committees may spend up to $19,151,200 on coordinated party expenditures in connection with the general election for President. (State and local party committees need prior written approval from the national committee before making coordinated party expenditures in connection with the Presidential election.) |
| February 19, 2008 | Midwinters Filing Reminder. Some Congressional and Senatorial campaigns, and the PACs and party committees that support or oppose them, have filings due soon: (1) Quarterly Filers and Pre-Primary Reporting - If you are a quarterly-filing PAC, party or candidate committee involved in a March primary, you will need to submit a pre-primary report. Visit http://www.fec.gov/info/charts_primary_dates.shtml for a complete chart of pre-primary reporting dates. (2) Monthly Filers - Your February monthly report (covering January 1-31) is due tomorrow, February 20. As always, monthly filers do not need to worry about pre-primary reporting. |
| February 11, 2008 | Debt Disclosure, Part 2 - Continuously Report Debts Until Repaid. This is the second in a series of monthly tips on how to properly report debts owed by your committee. Last month we discussed how and when to first itemize a debt owed by the committee. After a debt is first itemized on an FEC report, a committee must continue to itemize the debt owed on Schedule D on each subsequent report up to and including the report on which it reports repaying the debt in full. An example appears in your Campaign Guide in the Reporting chapter. |
| February 4, 2008 | A Very Special February Tip. There are special elections coming up in Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana and Mississippi in the next few weeks, and with them, special election FEC reports. Links to all reporting schedules for campaigns involved in special elections appear on the Reporting Dates page at http://www.fec.gov/info/report_dates.shtml under the heading, "Special Elections." Quarterly-filing PACs and party committees that make contributions or expenditures in connection with any of those special elections should consult the Federal Register notice for that election, also available at the link above. In addition, the links to charts outlining the applicable FEA dates that apply for involved party committees, and the 48-hour and 24-hour reporting periods that may apply to a PAC or party that makes independent expenditures in connection with the special election may also be found on the Reporting Dates web page. (Monthly filing PACs and party committees are not required to file special election reports.) |
| January 28, 2008 | Year-End Reports Due This Week. All committees are reminded that the Year-End Report is due this Thursday, January 31st. Important: If your committee files electronically, the report must be filed using the new electronic filing formats. |
| January 23, 2008 | Warm Up Your Campaign Finance Law Knowledge. It's cold outside, but you can get yourself warmed up for the election year by attending an FEC conference. Registration is now ongoing for our February Orlando conference for campaigns, SSFs and party committees and our March Washington DC conference for corporations and their SSFs. Visit http://www.fec.gov/info/outreach.shtml for more information on FEC training opportunities |
| January 14, 2008 | Debt Disclosure, Part 1 - the Basics. This is the first in a series of monthly tips on how to properly report debts owed by your committee. All committees must report debts and obligations (including written media contracts, promises or agreements to make expenditures) owed by the committee on Schedule D. A debt of $500 or less is reported on Schedule D on the next report filed once it has been outstanding 60 days from the date incurred. (If the debt is paid within 60 days, the payment is simply reported as an operating expenditure). On the other hand, all debts exceeding $500 are required to be itemized on Schedule D. Note that regularly recurring administrative expenses (such as rent and utilities) are not considered to be debts until they are past due. |
| January 7, 2008 | Important Reminder re: Form 3Z-1 for 2008 House and Senate Campaigns. All principal campaign committees of House and Senate candidates running in 2008 must file FEC Form 3Z-1 with the Year-End report due Thursday, January 31, in order to provide important information to opposing candidates required under the “Millionaires’ Amendment." Thus, your campaign must file this form, even if you do not think your campaign will be affected by the Millionaires' Amendment. For electronic filers, consult your software vendor to learn how to generate this form. (FECFile users: Click here for technical support contact information.) For paper filers, Form 3Z-1 is the last page of the paper Form 3 packet; alternatively, click here to access the form and its instructions. |
| December 31, 2007 | New Year, New FEC Software Update. On January 2, 2008, FECFile Version 6.1.1.1, supported by a new electronic filing format (Version 6.1), will be available for download from the FEC Web site at http://www.fec.gov/elecfil/updatelist.html. Any report filed after that date must be filed using the new software.
All electronic filers must file their 2007 Year-End report using the new electronic filing format. If you use FECFile, download the new update early in the month; if you use commercial software, contact your vendor to ensure they are using the latest electronic filing format (Version 6.1). |
| December 26, 2007 | Phones are Still Being Answered at the FEC. As you may know, the Senate has failed to confirm the appointments of four commissioners whose nominations were pending. As a result, the appointments of Commissioners Lenhard, Von Spakovsky and Walther will expire with the end of this session of Congress (December 31). Nevertheless, please note that the federal campaign finance law and FEC regulations remain in effect, and the Commission will remain open and functioning next year. Our conference program will continue as scheduled, and as always, you may still contact the FEC at 1-800/424-9530 or at info@fec.gov for help with your questions about complying with current federal campaign finance laws. |
| December 17, 2007 | Campaign Finance Law Training in Florida Makes the Perfect Holiday Gift! Need an update on the new bundling and travel provisions of the Honest Leadership & Government Act? Or does your staff need basic training on federal campaign finance law? Preferably in some place that is warm? Register now for the FEC's February 12-13 conference in Orlando, Florida! |
| December 11, 2007 | FAQs for the Presidential Primary Season. With the first Presidential primaries and caucuses less than a month away, the Commission has begun to receive questions about the filing requirements associated with these elections: |
| December 3, 2007 | PAC/Party Reporting in Connection with Special Elections. With a number of special elections on the horizon, quarterly-filing PACs and party committees may be confused about which resource to use to determine if they have any reporting responsibilities in connection with a particular special election. Although the prior notices which are sent to candidates in a special election contain the filing dates and are available online, those are geared to and contain information which is specific only to the campaigns in a special election. An accompanying Federal Register notice, however, is written for all committees and contains the pre- and post-election filing dates. Thus, PACs and party committees are best advised to use the Federal Register notice for the special election in which they are involved. Links to all current Federal Register notices for special elections appear on the Reporting Dates page at http://www.fec.gov/info/report_dates.shtml under the heading, "Special Elections." In addition, the links to charts outlining the applicable FEA dates that apply for involved party committees, and the 48-hour and 24-hour reporting periods that may apply to a PAC or party that makes independent expenditures in connection with the special election may also be found on the Reporting Dates web page. |
| November 26, 2007 | ‘Tis the Season for Holiday Greetings. The same disclaimer rules that apply to campaign-related mailings apply to holiday greeting cards as well, even though they usually do not solicit funds or contain express advocacy. If a campaign sends out more than 500 holiday greetings,(i.e., a mass mailing) it must include a box on the card to inform recipients that it was paid for by the campaign committee. A PAC or party committee that sends a holiday mass mailing must include a box on the card that lets recipients know the committee paid for it, identifies the committee's full name and street address, phone number or web address, and states that the communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. For details and examples, see the Commission's brochure, Special Notices on Political Ads and Solicitations. |
| November 20, 2007 | Save the Date!! Weren't able to get to an FEC conference in 2007? Or need to get updated on the new provisions in the law regarding air travel and bundling disclosure? We will begin registration soon for our Orlando Regional conference in February and three Spring conferences in DC for campaigns, parties and corporate/labor/trade PACs. Take a look now and note which conference is right for your organization. And subscribe to our special e-mail notification list so that we can tell you when registration begins and you can be first in line! |
| November 13, 2007 | November FEC To-Do List. (1) Monthly filers are reminded they have a report due Tuesday, November 20. (2) Quarterly filers and campaigns involved in the VA/01 and OH/05 House special general elections have a special pre-general report due Thursday, November 29. (3) Submit your comments on various FEC rulemakings implementing recently passed laws. Comments on the Commission's rulemaking on air travel are due today (November 13) and comments on the Commission's rulemaking on disclosure by campaigns and other committees of lobbyist/registrants bundling contributions are due November 29. |
| November 5, 2007 | Election Day 2008 is One Year Away. Prepare by making sure you have the latest FEC information. Add this page (Tips for Treasurers) to your favorites -- there is a lot of information on this page to keep you updated on the campaign finance laws and help you comply with them. Make sure you are up to date on the 2008 filing dates and have the latest versions of our publications. Finally, make sure you have subscribed to the FEC Record and FECMail - two great ways to get the latest information on FEC happenings. |
| October 29, 2007 | For Party Committees: 2008 FEA Dates Released (Some in Effect Now). The 2008 list of federal election activity (FEA) periods for each state is now available. During these time periods, party committees may not use nonfederal funds to pay for certain GOTV and voter ID activities (aka Types 1 and 2 of FEA). Instead, they may use either 100% federal funds or a mix of federal and Levin funds. For more information, see Chapter 8 and Chapter 14 of the Campaign Guide for Political Parties. |
| October 22, 2007 | This is Your Chance to Comment on the Proposed New Travel Regulations. The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 (HLOGA), signed into law September 14, 2007, amended the law to prohibit Senate and Presidential candidates, and their campaigns, from spending campaign funds for travel on noncommercial aircraft, unless they pay the charter rate. House candidates, and their campaigns and leadership PACs, are prohibited from spending any campaign funds for travel on private, noncommercial aircraft. The FEC is preparing rules to implement these new travel restrictions, as well as a formal definition of "leadership PAC" and seeks your comments by November 13. |
| October 15, 2007 | Ohio 5th District Special Election Reports. There is a special primary election in Ohio's 5th congressional district on November 6th. Due to the timing of the election, candidates in this election do not have to file an October Quarterly report today; rather, they should file a special pre-primary election report due October 25 (covering July 1 through October 17). If your PAC or party committee files on a semi-annual basis this year, but makes or has made contributions to any of the candidates in this special election (or independent expenditures on behalf of or against them), you may have to file these or other additional reports. See this Federal Register notice for details. |
| October 9, 2007 | October Filing Reminder. All campaigns have a quarterly report due on Monday, October 15, and all monthly filers have a report due Saturday, October 20. If you need help with electronic filing or reporting questions, contact the FEC this week at 1-800/424-9530 (when prompted, press 4 for Electronic Filing Office; 5 for the Reports Analysis Division or 6 for the Information Division). |
| October 1, 2007 | Get Up to Speed on Party Rules and New Laws. The FEC has just released the new online version of the Campaign Guide for Political Party Committees. Hard copy will be available in a few weeks; to order, send an e-mail with your address to info@fec.gov. To further educate yourself on FEC rules for party committees (and those for campaigns and corporate/labor/trade PACs too), please plan to attend our November 6-7 regional conference in St. Louis, where you can review fundraising basics and receive training on best practices and the recent HLOG Act. The registration fee goes up on October 13, so register now! |
| September 24, 2007 | Mark Your Calendar. The FEC has just posted on its web site some important rulemaking and reporting dates that you’ll want to note on your calendar. First, on October 1, comments are due on the Commission's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on electioneering communications. Then, on October 5, pre-election reports are due for committees involved in the MA/05 special general election. Looking ahead to 2008, the very latest election reporting information is now available on our “Filing Information” page. You’ll find dates for Congressional Pre-Election reports, electioneering communications, 48- and 24-Hour Reports of Independent Expenditures, Federal Election Activity dates and coordinated communications periods. If all of this is too much for your datebook to handle, the Commission makes its own calendar available 24/7 on FEC.gov. |
| September 17, 2007 | New Campaign Finance Law Signed by President Bush. S.1, The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007, was signed into law on September 14. The new law includes two major provisions for political committees: disclosure of bundled contributions and restrictions on the use of campaign funds for noncommercial air travel. The FEC will undertake rulemakings to implement this new legislation; look for additional information to be posted online and in the Record soon. |
| September 10, 2007 | Join the FEC in the Heartland for the Last Conference of 2007. Registration is now open for the FEC's regional conference in St. Louis, November 6-7. This will be the last FEC conference in 2007 and the only conference this election season in the midwest - Don't miss it! You'll have a chance to meet FEC Commissioners and senior staff, all the while networking and sharing ideas with other public affairs professionals from around the country. Space is limited so early registration is highly recommended! |
| September 4, 2007 | Sign up now for the FEC's new e-mail service! The FEC has just launched a new internet tool that allows users to sign-up to receive notification whenever information important to them is added or changed on the Commission’s site.With a single click, users can now register to receive updates for one or more specific pages at fec.gov including news releases, support for committee treasurers, updates on Commission decisions, etc. The system allows people to keep track of FEC actions in real time without receiving unwanted email about subjects not directly of interest. Individual pages throughout FEC.gov offer subscription links, marked with a  . To receive updates for a particular page, simply click on the link. Alternatively, visit http://www.fec.gov/info/fecmaill.shtml to set up your subscription. |
| August 27, 2007 | Back to School with the FEC. With a new school year underway, it’s a good time to think about educating yourself in preparation for the 2008 elections. The FEC will conduct two conferences this fall: September 26-27, in Seattle (registration is now open) and November 6-7, in St. Louis (registration begins in September). These conferences, intended for House and Senate campaigns, corporate/labor/trade PACs, and state and local political party committees, offer workshops on fundraising, reporting and communications. All workshops focus on best practices and ways to avoid compliance problems. For questions or to be notified as registration opens for FEC conferences and workshops, please send an e-mail with your name, organization and contact information to Conferences@fec.gov. |
| August 20, 2007 | Presidential Funding Guide Now Available. Presidential campaigns that plan to seek public funding may now download the updated version of the FEC’s Guideline for Presentation in Good Order. This Audit Division publication explains in detail how Presidential campaigns should prepare their requests for public funds. |
| August 13, 2007 | Monthly Reporting Reminder. Committees that file monthly are reminded that their next report is due Monday, August 20. The report covers activity for the month of July 2007. Bonus: If your committee files monthly, it does not have to file any special election reports (see the August 3 tip). |
| August 3, 2007 | Special Elections in Massachusetts and California Require Special Reports in August. There is a special runoff election in California's 37th congressional district on August 21 and a special primary election in Massachusetts' 5th congressional districts on September 4, with reports due for each of these in August. If your PAC or party committee files on a semi-annual basis this year, but makes or has made contributions to any of the candidates in these races (or independent expenditures on behalf of or against them), you may have to file these or other additional reports. For more information on the:
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| July 30, 2007 | Last Chance Reminder for Mid-Year Filers. Those PACs and parties who filed quarterly in 2006 have their first report due for 2007 on July 31 (unless they made a contribution or expenditure in connection with one of this year's special elections, in which case, a special election report should have been filed). If you forgot that filings are done semi-annually in a non-election year, and filed an extra quarterly report in April, simply have your Mid-Year report pick up in activity from the date your last report left off. |
| July 23, 2007 | 11 CFR, Part Two. The long-awaited 2007 hard copy editions of the FEC's regulations at 11 CFR have arrived! You may order your copy by sending an e-mail to info@fec.gov or calling 1-800/424-9530 (press 6). Of course, if you find it more convenient, you may still print out the pages you need at http://www.fec.gov/law/cfr/cfr.shtml. And for those of you who want to have a say in next year's edition, the Commission recently published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the use of campaign funds (comments due: August 20), and plans to publish another one soon on electioneering communications. |
| July 16, 2007 | Your FEC To-Do List for the Week of July 16: (1) For all campaigns, political party committees and corporate/labor/trade PACs -- Register now for the Commission's regional training conference in Seattle, September 26-27. (2) If you are a monthly filing committee, don't forget to file the report due Friday, July 20. (Quarterly filers should have filed their reports this past Sunday). |
| July 9, 2007 | No Summer Vacation for FEC Reports: Mid-July Reporting Reminders. All campaigns are reminded that they have a quarterly report due on Sunday, July 15. All monthly filers are reminded that their next report, covering the month of June, is due Friday, July 20. The FEC's Public Records Office will be open to receive reports next weekend on Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m both days. (For Senate candidates using regular mail or hand delivery, plan to file by the Secretary of the Senate's close of business on Friday, July 13.) If you need help with electronic filing or reporting questions, contact the FEC this week. |
| July 2, 2007 | Important Reminder re: Form 3Z-1 for 2008 House and Senate Campaigns. All principal campaign committees of House and Senate candidates running in 2008 must file FEC Form 3Z-1 with the July Quarterly report due Sunday, July 15 in order to provide important information to opposing candidates required under the “Millionaires’ Amendment." Thus, your campaign must file this form, even if you do not think your campaign will be affected by the Millionaires' Amendment. For electronic filers, consult your software vendor to learn how to generate this form. (FECFile users: Click here for technical support contact information.) For paper filers, Form 3Z-1 is the last page of the paper Form 3 packet; alternatively, click here to access the form and its instructions. |
| June 27, 2007 | Will you meet the new best efforts defense if you don't file your report on time? New regulations allow committees facing an administrative fine for late filing to use "best efforts" as a defense. In order to claim “best efforts,” committees must demonstrate that they could not file due to reasonably unforeseen circumstances beyond their control and that they filed the late report within 24 hours after those circumstances ended. Excuses involving negligence, illness, inexperience, unavailability of committee staff or treasurer, failure to know filing dates and failure to use Commission software properly do not qualify for the "best efforts" defense. The rules include examples of what does and does not meet this new defense. Ultimately, the best thing you can do: File your reports on time! |
| June 18, 2007 | Monthly Reports Due. Committees that file on a monthly schedule have a report due Wednesday, June 20. The report covers activity for the month of May. |
| June 11, 2007 | Your June FEC To-Do List. There's a lot going on at the FEC this month. Comments on the Commission's notice of proposed rulemaking on hybrid communications are due today, June 11. Campaigns and other quarterly filers active in the special general election in Georgia's 10th District have reports due Tuesday, June 19, and those active in California's 37th District have special election reports due Thursday, June 14th and Tuesday, June 26. Monthly filers have a report due Wednesday, June 20. Finally, registration is still open for free informal workshops to be held in Denver, June 20 and 21, and in Phoenix, June 27 and 28. What's the best way to keep all of these dates straight? Use the Commission's calendar! |
| June 6, 2007 | Spending with (an Acceptable) Purpose. Whenever an expenditure is itemized on an FEC report, a complete and specific description of the purpose of the expenditure must be disclosed. Certain descriptions and phrases, such as "admin.," "consulting" and "professional services" are inadequate. The FEC has published an updated list of inadequate purpose descriptions for use by treasurers. |
| May 29, 2007 | Get Prepared Now to E-File this Summer. If you are a newly registered committee and want/have to file FEC reports electronically this year, now is the time to contact the FEC's e-filing office and get a password. With FEC reports due July 15th or July 31st for many committees, you will want to have your password in place and any software kinks worked out before the July filing rush. |
| May 21, 2007 | Help Influence the Rules for Certain Party Ads Next Year. The FEC has published a notice of proposed rulemaking on hybrid communications by political party committees. These communications refer to a clearly identified federal candidates and also generically refer to other candidates of a party without clearly identifying them. The FEC's proposed rules seek to establish guidelines for how party committees should attribute, pay for and report such advertisements. Comments on the proposed rules are due June 11, 2007, as are requests to testify at a July 11 hearing on the proposed rules. |
| May 15, 2007 | Your FEC To-Do List for May: (1) Monthly filers must file the May monthly report, due on Sunday, May 20. Please note that the FEC will not be open to receive paper reports. Paper filers will need to plan accordingly to mail the report before Sunday by registered, certified or overnight mail. (2) The FEC will host informal campaign finance workshops in Phoenix, Denver and Atlanta this summer. If you are in any of the areas we will be visiting, go to our outreach web page to sign-up for a workshop today. (3) Presidential candidates file personal financial disclosure reports with the FEC today, May 15. Copies of the reports will be available through the agency's Public Records Office later this month after their review by the Office of General Counsel. |
| May 7, 2007 | Special Election Reports Due in June. Committees that normally file quarterly during election years should be aware that if they contribute to, or make expenditures on behalf of, a candidate in one of several special general elections happening in June (in CA/37 and GA/10 House Districts), they will trigger a special election report. Details and the applicable Federal Register notices are available on the FEC's Reporting Dates web page. |
| April 30, 2007 | Corporate/Labor Guides Are Now Available for Order. The hard copy printed version of the 2007 edition of the Campaign Guide for Corporations and Labor Organizations is now in stock. This is a must-have for any individual involved with a corporation, labor organization or trade association's PAC. Order your free copy of the Guide by calling 1-800/424-9530 (press 6) or sending an e-mail with your mailing address to info@fec.gov. |
| April 23, 2007 | Stay In Control of Your Committee. The Commission recently published guidance for political committees on best practices in setting up internal controls to prevent embezzlement, as well as a statement of policy on reporting errors caused due to misappropriation of funds by committee staff. Committees are encouraged to put these safeguards in place to prevent misappropriations of funds and incorrect reporting. |
| April 16, 2007 | Your FEC To-Do List for This Week. If you are a monthly filing committee, don't forget to file the report due this Friday, April 20. (Quarterly filers should have filed their reports this past Sunday). If you are with a trade association, labor organization or incorporated membership organization, register now for the Commission's conference for those organizations, June 4-5, in Washington DC. |
| April 9, 2007 | At least it’s not due on tax day this year! Federal candidates’ campaign committees must file an FEC April Quarterly report due this Sunday, April 15. (PACs and party committees are not required to file this report.) Unlike the deadline for filing your taxes, the FEC’s April 15 filing deadline is fixed and cannot be extended. Paper reports filed by methods other than Registered, Certified or Overnight Mail must be received by that date. The FEC's Public Records Office will be open to receive reports this weekend on Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m both days. (For Senate candidates using regular mail or hand delivery, plan to file by the Secretary of the Senate's close of business on Friday, April 13.) If you need help with electronic filing or reporting questions, contact the FEC this week. |
| April 2, 2007 | New Corporate/Labor Guide Available. The long-awaited new edition of the Campaign Guide for Corporations and Labor Organizations is now available in PDF format. [6.17MB] This edition is current as of January 2007. A printed version should be available by the end of April. To order a copy, please call our toll-free information line at 800-424-9530 or e-mail us at info@fec.gov. |
| March 26, 2007 | Why Pay More? Sign up now and avoid paying a late fee to attend the FEC Spring Conferences! Corporate PACs can avoid a late fee by registering for their April conference by March 30. Campaigns and party committees should register by April 13 to avoid paying a late fee for their May conference. Also, registration will start soon for the June 4-5 conference for trade associations, membership organizations and labor organizations. Subscribe to our e-mail list and you'll get the first crack at registration once it opens. |
| March 19, 2007 | Your FEC To-Do List for This Week. If you are a monthly filing committee, don't forget to file the report due this Tuesday, March 20. If you are with a campaign or a party committee, register now for the Commission's conference on May 10-11 for House and Senate campaigns and national, state and local political party committees. |
| March 12, 2007 | As Seen on TV. If you watched CBS's Without a Trace on March 11, you saw the FBI try to solve a missing Senator's disappearance by tracking her campaign finance transactions. You also saw the lead character state correctly that an individual cannot give $5 million to a Senate race (the actual limit is $2,300 per election). But then the character noted that the contributor got around the limits by giving bonuses to all his employees and then having them all make contributions. For the record, that's called a contribution in the name of another and it's illegal as well. In fact, criminal penalties and jail time can result when a contribution in the name of another is knowingly made or received. If your campaign becomes aware of a possibility that contributions it has received were possibly illegally made in the name of another, it should refund the money to the original source of funds, or disgorge the funds to the US Treasury. |
| March 5, 2007 | Make it Your Business to Attend the FEC's Corporate Conference. Registration is now open for the FEC's Conference for Corporations, April 24-25, 2007. Review the basics and update your knowledge of the laws affecting your federal corporate PAC. You'll have a chance to meet FEC Commissioners, senior staff and the person who reviews your FEC report, all the while networking and sharing ideas with other corporate PAC professionals from around the country. Space is limited so early registration is highly recommended! |
| February 26, 2007 | It's Conference Time! Have you been looking forward to the long-awaited return of FEC Conferences? We will begin registration soon for our three Spring conferences in DC for campaigns, parties and corporate/labor/trade PACs. Take a look and note which conference is right for your organization. And subscribe to our special e-mail notification list so that we can tell you when registration begins and you can be first in line! |
| February 20, 2007 | Save the Date! The FEC has announced its 2007 conference dates and locations. Our conferences are designed to help committees learn about the campaign finance law. Over the years, these sessions have often sold out quickly, so we recommend that you sign up for our special conferences e-mail list to be notified when registration begins for a new workshop or conference. To subscribe, simply send an e-mail with your contact information to conferences@fec.gov. You'll be one of the first to know when a training opportunity becomes available. |
| February 12, 2007 | Monthly Filing Reminder. Enjoy the February 19th President's Day holiday, but don’t forget that monthly filers’ first report of the year, covering January, is due Tuesday, February 20. The FEC recently e-mailed a reporting reminder to all monthly filers who had disclosed an e-mail address. If you have questions or need assistance with your report, please remember that the FEC will be closed Monday for the holiday, so plan ahead to resolve any issues this week. |
| February 5, 2007 | Have You Updated Your E-Mail Address Yet? The FEC now sends all courtesy materials to committees exclusively by electronic mail. Reporting reminders and other mailings concerning changes in the law are no longer sent by U.S. mail. As a result, it is important that every committee disclose a current e-mail address on its Statement of Organization (FEC Form 1). For more information, click here. |
| January 29, 2007 | Deadlines, Deadlines! Reminder: All committees must file a Year-End report, due this Wednesday, January 31, 2007. Also, comments are due today, January 29, on the Commission's proposed statement of policy on self-reporting of campaign finance law violations. What is the best way to keep up with all the various deadlines? Bookmark and check the FEC's calendar regularly -- it is continuously updated with the latest Commission developments and deadlines. |
| January 22, 2007 | New Contribution Limits for 2007-08 Are Now Available! Certain contribution limits for individuals and non-multicandidate committees making contributions have been indexed for inflation in the new election cycle. The limit for individuals giving to candidates is now $2,300/per election, per candidate. Click here for the other adjusted limits. The limit for multicandidate committees giving to candidates remains set at $5,000 per election, per candidate. |
| January 18, 2007 | Indexed Contribution Limits for 2008 Election Cycle Coming Soon. The Commission has received numerous inquiries concerning the anticipated increase in the contribution limits that are adjusted for inflation in odd-numbered years. Those limits include the per-election cap on contributions from individuals to candidates, the calendar-year limit on contributions from individuals to national party committees and the overall ceiling for contributions by an individual during an election cycle. The Commission expects to receive the necessary Consumer Price Index (CPI) figure from the Department of Labor soon. Although the FEC will announce the new limits officially through a Federal Register notice, we will post the new limits here as soon as they are available. |
| January 10, 2007 | 2007 Reporting Dates Are Now Available. The Commission has posted on its web site the 2007 reporting schedules for candidates, parties and PACs. Grab your new calendar and make a note of the due dates! |
| January 3, 2007 | Here's Your Chance To Have a Say in FEC Enforcement Policies. Comments are due in the next few days on several recently published draft rulemakings and policy statements. Topics include best efforts to comply with recordkeeping and reporting (comments due 1/8), the use of a best efforts defense in administrative fines challenges (comments due 1/8) and hearings for respondents in enforcement cases (comments due 1/5). Click on the link for each topic to access the proposed reforms and the instructions for submitting comments. Next week: Reporting schedules for 2007. |
