Oregon Secretary of State

Committee Formation

​​​​​​​​​​​​​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. ​​

If youThen​


  • 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 ​
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Select "Next" below to find out how to create an ORESTAR Account and Register a Committee.

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Next
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  • ​​​​​A political action committee is a combination of two or more individuals, or a person other than an individual, that receives a contribution or makes an expenditure for the purpose of supporting or opposing a candidate, measure, or political party. Each political action committee must establish a campaign account and file a Statement of Organization. 

  • In limited circumstances, some groups may begin engaging in political activity without being required to register as a PAC. See pages 6 and 20 of the Campaign Finance Manual​ for more information. ​​
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  • ​​​A petition committee is a committee formed by the chief petitioners of an initiative, referendum, or recall petition. 

  • Cover and signature sheets will not be approved for circulation until a petition committee is established. 

  • Some groups are not required to register as a petition committee even though they are circulating a petition. See page 7-8 of the Campaign Finance Manual​ for more information​
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