National party disbursements for presidential nominating convention, headquarters and recount accounts
A national party committee may establish accounts to defray certain expenses incurred with respect to:
- Presidential nominating conventions,
- National party headquarters buildingf, and
- Election recounts and contests and other legal proceedings (“recount account”).
Reporting disbursements on Form 3X
National party committees report disbursements made from their additional accounts on Form 3X, Line 21(b) or Line 29 depending on which account the activity corresponds.
Presidential nominating convention and national party headquarters buildings accounts
National party committees report disbursements made from their presidential nominating convention and/or national party headquarters account on Form 3X, Line 21(b). A disbursement is itemized on Schedule B, supporting Line 21(b). when it:
- Exceeds $200 or
- Aggregates over $200 when added to other disbursements made to the same payee during the calendar year
To itemize a disbursement, the committee discloses:
- Name of payee
- Address of payee
- Date of disbursement
- Amount of disbursement
- Name of the additional account from which the disbursement was made along with a purpose of disbursement (for example, “Convention Account – Bookkeeping and Compliance”)
The committee reports spending $1,500 on event security on Line 21(b). It includes the vendor’s name (TNT Promotions), address, date of disbursement and the amount spent. The committee also includes the name of the account from which the disbursement was made along with a clear purpose of disbursement in the Purpose of Disbursement field.
Election recounts and contests and other legal proceedings account (“recount account”)
National party committees report disbursements made from their recount account on Form 3X, Line 29. A disbursement is itemized on Schedule B, supporting Line 29. when it:
- Exceeds $200 or
- Aggregates over $200 when added to other disbursements made to the same payee during the calendar year
To itemize a disbursement, the committee discloses:
- Name of payee
- Address of payee
- Date of disbursement
- Amount of disbursement
- Name of the account from which the disbursement was made along with a purpose of disbursement in the Purpose of Disbursement field (for example, “Recount Account – Legal Services”)
The committee reports spending $5,000 on legal services on Line 29. It includes the vendor’s name (Hamilton & Hamilton), address, date of disbursement, and the amount spent. The committee also includes the name of the account from which the disbursement was made along with a clear purpose of disbursement in the Purpose of Disbursement field.
Reporting with FECFile
To enter a disbursement from the presidential nominating convention or national party headquarters accounts, go to the Summary Page tab, right click on “Line 21(b) Other federal operating expenditures” and select ”new.”
To enter a disbursement from the recount account, go to the Summary Page tab, right click on “Line 29 Other disbursements” and select ”new.”
