Who must file campaign finance reports?

Each political committee shall file campaign finance reports setting forth the committee's receipts and disbursements

When does a candidate or political committee have to file finance reports?

In any calendar year during which there is a regularly scheduled election at which any candidates, measures, questions or propositions appear or may appear on the ballot, the political committee shall file each of the campaign finance reports required by ARS § 16-913.

In any calendar year in which there is no regularly scheduled elections, the political committee shall file a report coving the period beginning the day after the closing date of the last report that was filed and ending December 31.  This report shall be filed no later than Jan 31 of the following calendar year.

If a special or recall election is called, each committee must file the report required by ARS § 16-913 for a calendar year with a regularly schedule election.

What if a candidate or political committee is not involved in the regularly scheduled election?

All reports must be filed by each candidate/political committee who has not terminated or filed an annual No Activity Statement, even if the candidate/committee is not involved in the scheduled election.

What if a candidate or political committee fails to file a required report?

There are certain penalties that are prescribed in ARS § 16-918 that will apply if there is a failure to file a required report.   A political committee, the candidate (candidate's committee) or the designating individual (exploratory committee) are subject to penalties.  Penalties include, but are not limited to, a mandatory penalty for late filing of $10 each calendar day the report is late (including weekends and holidays) up to a maximum of $450.  The City Clerk shall not accept a report for filing unless the mandatory penalties are paid with the report.

The City Clerk , or the Secretary of State in the case of standing political committee, must send a notice to the committee and candidate or designating individual by certified mail within 15 days after the due date stating with "reasonable particularity" the nature of the failure and a statement of the penalties provided by ARS § 16-918.

What if a candidate or political committee doesn't file after receiving the notice from the City Clerk?

If the report is not filed with 15 days after receiving the notice, the penalty increases to $25 per day, up to a maximum of $1000.  This penalty is assessed by the City Attorney pursuant to ARS  § 16-924, which provides for notice and hearing.  In addition to the enforcement actions prescribed by ARS § 16-918, a person who was a candidate for nomination or election who after written notice failed to make and file a campaign finance report is not eligible to be a candidate for nomination or election to any local or state office for five years after the last failure to make and file a campaign finance report.

After the election, must a candidate or political committee continue to file campaign finance reports?

Yes, Each committee must continue to file all reports as scheduled or required unless a Termination Statement has been filed.