Step 1.  Download and install ORCA.

Step 2.  Watch the tutorials founder under Help on the ORCA menu bar.

Step 3.  Use the setup wizard to create your campaign.

Be careful to choose the right options and answer the prompts correctly, because you may not be able to make changes later.

  • A person whose name will be on the ballot chooses "candidate campaign"
  • A ballot, levy, referendum or initiative committee raising money for just one particular election chooses "single election year committee"
  • A committee formed to make independent expenditures or otherwise support or oppose candidates in just one particular election chooses "single election year committee"
  • A committee that plans to continue beyond a particular election chooses "continuing political committee campaign

Step 4.  Enter data.

  • Enter contributions in the ORCA software.  

    Transactions>Contributions>Monetary Contribution.

    In the Monetary Contribution window enter the Contributor Name>Use your tab key or mouse to continue.  You can use the F11 key to pick existing contacts from a list.  If you are entering a new contact you will be prompted to enter additional information about that specific contact including, Contact Type, Contact Address, Occupation/Employer Information & some optional information.  Please complete any applicable fields unless it reads “optional.”  Click OK to return to the “monetary contribution” window.  No matter the contact you will enter the contribution amount, date of receipt and election if it is a limited race & Click OK to save changes.  (*Time Saver Note:  If you have more than one contribution to enter you may use the “new record” button to continue rather than clicking the OK button.  Click OK when you finished entering all contributions.)

    Once you’ve entered the contributions that made up a bank deposit, you will “deposit” them in ORCA which creates the C3 for you.  Transactions>Make A Deposit

  • Enter expenditures in the ORCA software.   

    Transactions>Expenditures>Monetary Expenditures

In the Expenditure window enter the Vendor Name> Use your tab key or mouse to continue.  You can use the F11 key to pick existing contacts from a list.  If you are entering a new contact you will be prompted to enter additional information about that specific contact including, Contact Type, Contact Address, Occupation/Employer Information & some optional information.  Please complete any applicable fields unless it reads “optional.”  Click OK to return to the “monetary expenditures” window.  Choose the Bank Account where the expense is being made from in the drop down menu & enter the expenditure date which will activate the right hand side of the window.  Choose the “add” button (green + symbol).  In the Expense Items window choose an appropriate Expenditure Account (5150 – Miscellaneous may be used at any time)>Enter the amount>Enter a complete description of the expenditure>Click OK to close the window & OK again to close the Monetary Expenditure window. ORCA will add these expenses to a Schedule A that will be filed with the C-4 for the reporting period that it took place in.  (*Time Saver Note:  If you have more than one expense to enter you may use the “new record” button to continue rather than clicking the OK button.  Click OK when you finished entering all expenditures.)

  • View reports in the ORCA software.

Reports>Preview/Print & Submit>

The Report Manager window opens and displays two choices:  C3 or C4 Report.  Select the appropriate tab.  Highlight the report you wish to review & choose “View Report” on the right side.