Disclosing campaign expenses

All expenditures made by a candidate or committee must be reported. This includes filing fees for candidates.

An expenditure must be authorized by the candidate or other person authorized to make expenditures – and named on the candidate or committee registration – before the money is spent.

Expenditures defined

The term expenditure can mean a payment, contribution, subscription, distribution, loan, advance, deposit, gift or money or anything of value. It can include a contract or agreement to make an expenditure or payment.

It also includes a promise to pay, or payment or transfer of anything of value, in exchange for goods, services, property, facilities or anything of value – if the purpose is to assist, benefit or honor a public official or candidate or to assist or oppose an election campaign.

Report agreements to make expenditures, contracts or promises to pay as estimated obligations until payment is made.

Spending by volunteers

Campaign volunteers may each spend up to $200 of their own funds for incidental expenses, with no need to report. However, if a campaign reimburses a volunteer, the reimbursement is a reportable expenditure. Be sure to collect a receipt and keep it with campaign records.

Fund transfers, investing campaign funds

Transfers between campaign accounts (for example, from savings to checking), are not considered expenditures. Neither are purchases of bonds or certificates of deposit. Notify the PDC if you invest campaign funds.

Tracking expenditures

Permissible expenditures by candidates

Expenditures that require additional disclosure

Outstanding debts