Campaign Finance Information
QUESTIONS CONCERNING CANDIDATE COMMITTEE FILINGS
When am I required to file as a committee?*Once you declare you are running for public office you must file a Statement of Organization with your County Clerk or the State of Michigan. (Exception – Precinct Delegates and School Board candidates within a school district of 2400 pupils or less DO NOT file)
Where do I file my Statement of Organization?
* County, City, Township, Village, and School Board candidates file with the County Clerk.
* State candidates and Judges file with the State of Michigan.
What is the time limit for filing my Statement of Organization?
*Once you declare you’re a candidate for public office, you have 10 days to organize your committee plus 10 days to file your Statement of Organization with the County.
CAMPAIGN FINANCE STATEMENT FILING INFORMATION
When am I required to file Campaign Finance Pre and Post-Election Statements for Candidates?
Campaign Committee Manual Information
Late Contribution Report Form (One page per contribution)
* A candidate for office is exempt from filing campaign statements if he or she does not spend or receive over $1,000.00 within an election. (Must check waiver box on Statement of Organization)
*A candidate automatically looses the waiver if he or she goes over the $1,000.00.
*If you spend over $1,000.00 or do not check the waiver on your Statement of Organization a Pre-Election Statement must be filed 11 days before the election.
*A Post-Election Statement must be filed within 30 days after the election.
*An Annual Statement must be filed by January 31st. (EXCEPTION- Any candidate filing a Post-Election Statement between Dec. 1st and Jan. 30th is not required to file an Annual Statement)
QUESTIONS ON BALLOT QUESTION COMMITTEES
What is a Ballot Question Committee?
*A Ballot Question Committee is a committee that receives contributions or makes expenditures in support of, or in opposition to, the qualification, passage, or defeat of a ballot question.
When is it required to file a Ballot Question Committee?
*As soon as a person reaches the $500.00 threshold, it has 10 calendar days to form and register the Statement of Organization Ballot Question Committee form.
Where is this Ballot Question Committee filed?
*You file with the County if the proposal is within one county.
*You file with the State of Michigan if the proposal covers more than one county or is statewide.
When is the Committee required to file Ballot Question Committee Campaign Pre or Post Election Statements?
*If the waiver box is checked on the State of Organization (receives or spends less than $1,000.00) campaign statement filings are NOT required.
*If the committee spends over $1,000.00 or does not check the waiver box the committee must file campaign statement forms.
When can I dissolve my committee?
*A Candidate Committee and a Ballot Question Committee can only be dissolved if the committee has no assets or debts and the Candidate Committee is not holding an office.
Questions regarding Campaign Finance contact: Denise M. Dyson, Chief Deputy 517-543-2478.
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