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Federal Election Commission | United States of America
  • Press Release

Administrative Fine Program Continues to Influence Filings

November 19, 2001


For Immediate Release
November 19, 2001

Contact:

Kelly Huff
Ron Harris
Ian Stirton

 

ADMINISTRATIVE FINE PROGRAM CONTINUES TO INFLUENCE FILINGS

WASHINGTON – The Federal Election Commission’s Administrative Fine Program continues to influence the timely filing of reports by committees. Since the program was initiated in July 2000, the FEC has processed and made public 290 cases with $398,436 in fines collected.

The Administrative Fine Program was initially mandated to cover violations of campaign finance reporting requirements that occurred through December 31, 2001. On November 12, the President signed H.R. 2590, the FY2002 Treasury-Postal Service Appropriations Act that extended the Administrative Fine Program to cover violations that relate to reporting periods through December 31, 2003.

The number of reports filed late compared to prior cycles has declined in each reporting period. The largest percentage drop in the number of late filers occurred with the June monthly report, a drop of 18 percentage points from the previous non-election year. The number of non-filers continues to decline, the mid-year report showing a 47% drop (654 reports in 1999 to 345 reports in 2001).

Reports are considered to be filed late if they are received after the due date, but within 30 days of that due date. Election-sensitive reports will be considered late if they are filed after their due date, but prior to four days before the election. Election sensitive reports are those filed immediately before an election and include pre-primary, pre-special, pre-general, October Quarterly, and October monthly reports. Committees filing reports outside of these parameters are considered non-filers.

The following tables relate the number of reports filed, the number of reports filed late, and the number of reports not filed for each major report starting with the 2001 Mid-Year reports. These figures also are presented for the corresponding reports in 1997 and 1999.

Late and Non-Filed Reports

Mid-Year Reports
  2001 1999 1997
  # Reports % of Total # Reports % of Total # Reports % of Total
Total Filed 4,788   4,724   4,910  
Filed Late 465 10% 1,005 21% 982 20%
Non Filed 345   654   581  
Monthly Reports
February Reports
  2001 1999 1997
  # Reports % of Total # Reports % of Total # Reports % of Total
Total Filed 630   626   645  
Filed Late 81 13% 134 21% 101 16%
Non Filed 4   6   1  
March Reports
  2001 1999 1997
  # Reports % of Total # Reports % of Total # Reports % of Total
Total Filed 620   618   628  
Filed Late 33 5% 106 17% 53 8%
Non Filed 3   5   2  
Late and Non-Filed Reports
April Reports
  2001 1999 1997
  # Reports % of Total # Reports % of Total # Reports % of Total
Total Filed 612   611   627  
Filed Late 27 4% 81 13% 115 18%
Non Filed 3   7   8  
May Reports
  2001 1999 1997
  # Reports % of Total # Reports % of Total # Reports % of Total
Total Filed 602   604   627  
Filed Late 58 10% 82 14% 76 12%
Non Filed 3   5   3  
June Reports
  2001 1999 1997
  # Reports % of Total # Reports % of Total # Reports % of Total
Total Filed 584   599   631  
Filed Late 32 5% 140 23% 59 9%
Non Filed 4   7   3  

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This information is not intended to replace the law or to change its meaning, nor does this information create or confer any rights for or on any person or bind the Federal Election Commission or the public.

The reader is encouraged also to consult the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), Commission regulations (Title 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations), Commission advisory opinions and applicable court decisions.