Committees fail to file pre-election reports (July 2010)

The Commission cited several campaign committees for failing to file the 12-Day Pre-Election Reports required by the Federal Election Campaign Act (the Act).

California pre-primary report

The Commission cited two campaign committees for failing to file the 12-Day Pre-Primary Election Report required by the Act for the California primary election held on June 8, 2010.

As of June 4, 2010, the required disclosure report had not been received from:

• Al Ramirez for US Senate; and
• Goodwin Exploratory Committee (CA-19).

The reports were due on May 27, 2010, and should have included financial activity for the period April 1, 2010, through May 19, 2010. If sent by certified or registered mail, the reports should have been postmarked by May 24, 2010.

The FEC notified committees involved in the California primary election of their potential filing requirements on May 3, 2010. Those committees that did not file on the due date were sent notification on May 28, 2010, that their reports had not been received and that their names would be published if they did not respond within four business days.

South Carolina pre-primary report

The Commission cited a campaign committee for failing to file the 12-Day Pre-Primary Election Report required by the Act for the South Carolina primary election held on June 8, 2010.

As of June 4, 2010, the required disclosure report had not been received from:

• Burton for Congress (SC-01).

The report was due on May 27, 2010, and should have included financial activity for the period April 1, 2010, through May 19, 2010. If sent by certified or registered mail, the report should have been postmarked by May 24, 2010.

The FEC notified committees involved in the South Carolina primary election of their potential filing requirements on May 3, 2010. Those committees that did not file on the due date were sent notification on May 28, 2010, that their reports had not been received and that their names would be published if they did not respond within four business days.

Additional information

Some individuals and their committees have no obligation to file reports under federal campaign finance law, even though their names may appear on the ballot. If an individual raises or spends $5,000 or less, he or she is not considered a “candidate” subject to reporting under the Act.

Other political committees that support Senate and House candidates in elections, but are not authorized committees of a candidate’s campaign, are also required to file quarterly reports, unless they report monthly. Those committee names are not published by the FEC.

Further Commission action against non-filers and late filers is decided on a case-by-case basis. Federal law gives the FEC broad authority to initiate enforcement actions, and the FEC has implemented an Administrative Fine program with provisions for assessing monetary penalties.