As a candidate, you may appoint yourself as the sole member of your Principal Campaign Committee.
If you are choosing Principal Campaign Committee members other than yourself, you must choose at least two members (Chairperson and Treasurer).
The Principal Campaign Committee must maintain a checking account.
- All campaign contributions must be deposited into the checking account.
- All campaign expenditures must be drawn from the checking account (excepttion: a petty cash fund may be used for payment to a single person for a single transaction less than $100).
- Any money that a candidate personally contributes to the campaign must go through the Principal Campaign Committee.
Fair Campaign Practices Act (FCPA) - Filing Thresholds
Statewide Office $25,000
State Senate $10,000
State House $ 5,000
Circuit or District Office $ 5,000
County or Municipal Office $ 1,000
Fair Campaign Practices Act (FCPA) – Filing Requirements
The FCPA requires periodic filings from candidates and elected officials.
FCPA financial disclosure filings are required at the following times:
- Between 50 and 45 days prior to Election Day (exception: this 50/45-day report is not required prior to a Primary Run-Off Election).
- Between 10 and 5 days prior to Election Day.
- An Annual Report is due by January 31 of the year following a reporting year.
FCPA requires disclosure of any contribution or expenditure that exceeds $100.
Multiple contributions or expenditures from/to a single entity whose aggregate exceeds $100 must be disclosed.
Acceptable Contributions & Expenditures
A candidate, public official, or Principal Campaign Committee may only accept, solicit, or receive contributions:
To influence the outcome of an election;
- For a period of 12 months prior to an election in which the person intends to be a candidate;
- Statewide offices: candidates may not accept contributions while the State Legislature is in session, unless within 120 days of an election.
- The 12-month window does not apply to personal loans from the candidate to his/her campaign.
- To retire debt for a period of 120 days after an election;
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For expenses related to an election challenge;
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Contributions may not be accepted for bribe or corruption.