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      FEC Record: Reporting
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      October reporting reminder (2017)

FEC Record: ReportingOctober reporting reminder (2017)September 15, 2017 The following reports are due in October:  All authorized committees of House and Senate candidates must file a quarterly report by October 15, 2017. The report covers financial activity from July 1 (or the day after the closing date of the last report) through September 30;
        Authorized committees of presidential candidates must file a report by October 15, if they are quarterly filers (the report covers financial activity from July 1 through September 30), or by October 20, if they are monthly filers (the report covers
            activity for the month of September); and
        National party committees, political action committees (PACs) and other committees following a monthly filing schedule must file a monthly report by October 20. This includes state, district and local party committees that engage in reportable
            “Federal Election Activity” (see the “State, district and local party committees” section). The report covers activity for the month of September.
        All other political action committees (PACs) and party committees will next file a Year-End Report, due January 31, 2018. Participation in special elections may trigger additional pre- and post-election reports or otherwise alter a committee’s filing schedule. Remember, reporting periods always begin the day after the closing date of the last report filed. To help campaigns prepare their October reports, the Commission will offer reporting and FECFile webinars for candidates on October 4.
        Additionally, reporting help is always just a phone call away at 800-424-9530. Select option 4 for technical assistance with electronic filing, option 5 to speak with the analyst who reviews your committee’s reports or option
        6 to speak with an information specialist.  Notification of filing deadlines In addition to publishing this article and the online reporting tables, the Commission notifies
        committees of filing deadlines through reporting reminders called prior notices. Prior notices are distributed exclusively by electronic mail, so every committee should ensure that the email address on its Statement of Organization (FEC Form 1) is current. Each committee may list up to two email addresses. To amend the Form 1, electronic filers must submit
        the Form 1 filled out in its entirety. Paper filers should include only the committee’s name, address, FEC identification number and the updated or changed portions of the form. Committees may also use our online webform to update their information. Treasurer’s responsibilities The Commission provides reminders of upcoming filing dates as a courtesy to help committees comply with the filing deadlines set forth in the Federal Election Campaign Act (the Act) and Commission regulations. Committee treasurers are responsible
        for filing committee reports on time. Not receiving a prior notice does not excuse committee treasurers for failing to comply with any filing deadline. Filing electronically Under the Commission’s mandatory electronic filing regulations, individuals and organizations required to file with the FEC that receive contributions or make expenditures, including independent expenditures, aggregating in excess of $50,000 in a
        calendar year — or have reason to expect to do so — must file all reports and statements electronically.
        Reports filed electronically must be received and validated by the Commission by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the filing date. Electronic filers who file on paper or submit an electronic report that does not pass the Commission’s validation program
        by that time on the filing deadline will be considered nonfilers and may be subject to enforcement actions, includingadministrative fines. Senate campaigns and other committees supporting Senate candidates must file their FEC reports with the Secretary of the Senate on paper, but may file an additional unofficial electronic copy of their report with the Commission in order to enhance disclosure. The Commission’s electronic filing software, FECFile, is free and can be downloaded at https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/filing-reports/fecfile-software/. All reports filed after June 7, 2017, must be filed in Format Version 8.2. Reports filed in previous formats will not be accepted. Filers may also use commercial or privately developed software as long as the software meets the Commission’s format specifications, which are 
        available on the Commission’s website. Committees using commercial software should contact their vendors to ensure their software meets the latest specifications.  Timely filing for paper filers Registered and certified mail Reports sent by registered or certified mail are considered to be filed on the date of their postmark.
        52 U.S.C. § 30104(a)(5) and 11 CFR 104.5(e). Accordingly, quarterly reports sent by registered or certified mail must be postmarked on or before the filing deadline to be considered timely filed. 11 CFR 100.19(b). A committee sending its reports
        by registered or certified mail should keep its mailing receipt with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) postmark as proof of mailing, because the USPS does not keep complete records of items sent by certified or registered mail. 11 CFR 104.5(i). Overnight mail Reports sent via overnight mail will be considered timely filed if the report is postmarked on or before the filing deadline. “Overnight mail” includes Priority or Priority Express Mail having a delivery confirmation, or an overnight service with
        which the report is scheduled for next business day delivery and is recorded in the service’s online tracking system. See 11 CFR 100.19(b)(1) and (b)(3)(i). Note that “Express Mail” as referred to in FEC regulations has been renamed “Priority
        Express Mail” by the USPS. Reports filed via overnight mail will be considered timely filed if the report is received by the delivery service on or before the mailing/filing deadline. A committee sending its reports by Priority Mail or Priority Express Mail, or by an overnight delivery service, should keep its proof of mailing or other means of transmittal of its reports. 11 CFR 104.5(i). Other means of filing Reports sent by other means — including first class mail and courier — must be received by the FEC (or the Secretary of the Senate) before close of business on the filing deadline.
        11 CFR 100.19(b)(2) and 104.5(e). (If the deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday, such filers should plan accordingly and file reports by the close of business on the last business day before the filing deadline.) Forms may be downloaded at https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/forms/. State, district and local party committees State, district and local party committees that engage in reportable “Federal Election Activity” must file on a monthly schedule. Committees that do not engage in reportable “Federal Election Activity” may file on a semi-annual basis in 2017, but must inform the Commission in writing of their intent to do so if required to file monthly in 2016. Committees that opt for a quarterly
        filing schedule would file semi-annual reports during 2017. National party committees National committees of political parties must file on a monthly schedule. Political action committees PACs (separate segregated funds, committees with non-contribution accounts (Hybrid PACs), independent expenditure-only committees (Super PACs) and other nonconnected committees) that filed on a quarterly basis in 2016 file on a semi-annual basis in 2017. Monthly filers continue on a monthly schedule. PACs may change their filing schedule, but must first notify the Commission in writing. Electronic filers must file this request electronically.
        A committee may change its filing frequency only once a year. The committee will receive a letter from the Commission approving the frequency change.  Additional information For more information on 2017 reporting dates: Visit the FEC’s web page at https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/dates-and-deadlines/ to view the reporting tables online; or
            Call and request the reporting tables from the FEC at 800/424-9530 (press 6) or 202/694-1100. Resources: 2017 reporting dates
            Compliance map
            FEC electronic filing
 Author
          David GarrCommunications Specialist


Read next: FEC to host Q3 reporting & FECFile webinars for candidates (2017)
 Related: Explore campaign finance data »


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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