The definition of “candidate” for campaign finance purposes is broad. If you are considering a run for public office and have started spending money, even if it’s your own money, you likely have campaign finance reporting obligations. Review the information below to learn more.
- Serve as your own treasurer
and
- Do not have an existing candidate committee
and
- Do not expect to spend or receive more than $750 during the entire calendar year (including in-kind contributions and personal funds)
| - You do not need to register with the Elections Division if you meet all three criteria.
- Keep track of all contributions and expenditures.
- If you exceed the $750 threshold you must establish a Candidate Committee within 3 business days after exceeding the threshold. You may be eligible to file a
 Certificate of Limited Contributions and Expenditures (PC 7). - Fees paid for filing a candidate statement in the state voters’ pamphlet do not count toward the $750 threshold.
|
Do not expect to receive a total of more than $3,500 or spend a total of more than $3,500 for the entire calendar year
| - Establish a dedicated campaign bank account
- File a Statement of Organization for Candidate Committee on ORESTAR
- File a Certificate of Limited Contributions and Expenditures on ORESTAR no later than 7 days after receiving the first contribution or making the first expenditure
- Note: if you were previously under the $750 threshold, the Certificate must be filed not later than 7 days after exceeding the threshold
|
Expect to spend or receive more than $3,500
| - Establish a dedicated campaign bank account
- File a Statement of Organization for Candidate Committee on ORESTAR
- File campaign finance transactions on ORESTAR
|
Review the
ORESTAR User’s Manual: Statement of Organization for more information about filing a committee on ORESTAR.