Message from the Chairman

The Federal Election Commission begins 2008 under unusual circumstances. The recess appointments of three FEC Commissioners expired at the end of 2007 without Senate confirmation. Another Commissioner departed the FEC during the year and no replacement has been nominated. As a result, as of January 2008 the FEC has only two sitting Commissioners and four vacancies.

Under the Federal Election Campaign Act, the affirmative votes of four Commissioners are necessary in order for the FEC to take certain actions related to advisory opinions, forms, regulations, enforcement matters, litigation, and to certify public funds to Presidential candidates.

It is important to note that campaign finance laws and reporting and disclosure requirements remain in effect. The Commission will continue to receive and process complaints during this time. We will also continue to receive, review and publish disclosure reports. Indeed, the agency is striving to improve the transparency of campaign finance activity for the 2008 elections through such innovations as the Presidential Campaign Finance Map, which became available on the FEC web site (www.fec.gov) last year, and the recently launched House and Senate Map. At the same time, FEC staff remain available to provide committees informal advice and educational outreach through the agency’s toll-free hotline (800-424-9530), and we are continuing with our plans to hold FEC conferences and roundtables this Spring.

We will continue to work to develop new and better ways to communicate with all of our stakeholders and look forward to a full and productive year.