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      Enforcing federal campaign finance law

Enforcing federal campaign finance law The FEC has exclusive jurisdiction over the civil enforcement of the federal campaign finance law. By law, all enforcement cases must remain confidential until they’re closed. Closed enforcement cases can be accessed on this page and information about what documents are placed on the public record when cases are closed is available here.
 Considering possible election law violations
          
            Programs for handling enforcement cases
          
            Enforcement statistics and process documents
          
          
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 Considering possible election law violations

  
  
    Enforcement cases can come from audits, complaints, referrals or self-submissions:Audits: The agency’s monitoring process may detect potential violations through a review of a committee’s reports or through a Commission audit.Complaints: Potential violations may be brought to the Commission’s attention through the complaint process. This process enables anyone to file a sworn complaint alleging violations and explaining the basis for the allegations.Referrals: The referral process enables other government agencies to refer possible violations to the FEC.Self-submissions: Any person or entity who believes it has committed a violation may bring the matter sua sponte to the Commission’s attention.Audits of political committeesGenerally, the Commission audits a committee under two circumstances:When a committee participates in publicly financed presidential campaigns, orWhen it appears that a committee has not met substantial compliance for reporting.
      
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          AllAllocation IssuesDisclosureExcessive ContributionsFailure to File Reports/Schedules/NoticesLoansMisstatement of Financial ActivityNet Outstanding Campaign/Convention Expenditures/ObligationsNo Findings or Issues/Not a CommitteeOtherPayments/DisgorgementsProhibited ContributionsRecordkeepingReferred Findings Not ListedRepayment to US TreasurySearch
      
      ComplaintsAnyone can submit a complaint if they believe a violation of the law has occurred or is about to occur.
      
      The complaints process
 Programs for handling enforcement cases

  
  
    Enforcement cases are primarily handled by the Office of General Counsel and are known as Matters Under Review (MURs).Other programs designed to augment the Office of General Counsel's enforcement role include the Alternative Dispute Resolution Program and the Administrative Fine Program.Matters Under Review (MURs)Because the public has the right to know the outcome of any enforcement proceeding, redacted files for closed enforcement matters are made available to the public within 30 days after the parties involved have been notified that the entire matter has been closed.
      
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            Example: 4321
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              Examples: charity, "spending prohibitions"
    The MUR search feature includes all cases dating back to 1977. You can search all closed FEC MURs using keywords, MUR numbers, names of respondents and more. For additional search filters, you can still search MURs using our legacy FEC Enforcement Query System.
      
      Alternative Dispute Resolution ProgramAlternative Dispute Resolution is a series of procedures for resolving enforcement matters through mutual consent of the parties involved.
      
      Learn about the program
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      Administrative Fine ProgramThe Administrative Fine Program assesses civil money penalties for late or non-filed reports.
      
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      Search administrative fines
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            Example: 2345
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              Examples: charity, "federal election activity"
    The administrative fine search includes all cases dating back to 2000. You can search all administrative fine cases using keywords, case number and committee name. For additional search filters, you can still search administrative fines using our legacy FEC Enforcement Query System.
 Enforcement statistics and process documents

  
  
    Enforcement statistics track the number of FEC enforcement matters resolved and associated penalties.Enforcement process documents: The Commission has released a number of documents relating to enforcement and compliance processes in an effort to increase transparency and make internal documents available to the public.
 Legal citations Regulations 11 CFR 111.20Public disclosure of Commission action 11 CFR 111.21Confidentiality 11 CFR 111.22Ex parte communications 11 CFR 111.23Representation by counsel; notification 11 CFR 111.24Civil penalties 11 CFR 111.31Administrative fines


This information is not intended to replace the law or to change its meaning, nor does this information create or confer any rights for or on any person or bind the Federal Election Commission or the public. The reader is encouraged also to consult the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), Commission regulations (Title 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations), Commission advisory opinions and applicable court decisions.


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