Source: http://politicalpractices.mt.gov/candidateinformation
Timestamp: 2020-08-11 21:24:35
Document Index: 697000357

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Candidate & Treasurer Campaign Finance Information
- Accounting and Reporting Manual for Candidates and Treasurers (Green book): Each candidate and their treasurer should be familiar with and reference this guide regularly.
- Candidate & Treasurer Guide to Navigating CERS (the Campaign Electronic Reporting System)
2. Campaign Finance Resources and Guides
1. Getting Started: Filing as a Candidate and Navigating CERS
1- Reference and be familiar with the Accounting and Reporting Manual for Candidates & Treasurers (Green book)
2 - Reference this web page to begin: Getting Started: Register as a Candidate, Bank Requirements, and Close out a Campaign Account (Details filing, exploratory campaigns, reporting a filing fee, and more!)
3 - File a Statement of Candidate in CERS: Reference Part 1 in the Candidate & Treasurer Guide to Navigating CERS
4- Create a Campaign Finance Report: Reference Part 2 in the Candidate & Treasurer Guide to Navigating CERS
Other helpful information: Campaign Finance 101 Training (38 minute video, training PowerPoint). This training was geared for 2019 city candidates. The overview of campaign finance is applicable for all candidates; please ensure you know your relevant report and other campaign finance dates at this calendar.
2. Disclosing Contributions:
- Add Contributions in CERS: Reference Part 3 in the Candidate & Treasurer Guide to Navigating CERS
- Reporting Fundraising Contributions: Reference Part 3 in the Candidate & Treasurer Guide to Navigating CERS
- How to Report a Self-Loan to Your Candidate Campaign Account
- How to Report a Candidate's Personal Expenditure Made on Behalf of the Campaign (Report as a loan)
3. Disclosing Expenditures:
- Report Expenditures: Reference Part 4 in the Candidate & Treasurer Guide to Navigating CERS
- How to Report a Candidate's Personal Expenditure Made on Behalf of the Campaign (Report as a loan, which is a contribution)
- How to Report Expenses Made to Consultants, PR Firms, Agencies, etc.
- Guide: How to Report Paid Communications (i.e. social media ads, yard signs, mailers, newspaper ads, Spotify ads, etc.): Attribution Information for Paid Communications (Paid for By requirements), Non-Attributed Materials, 02/2020 Reminder on Attribution Requirements for Facebook
- How to Report Vendor Fees (e.g. ActBlue, Revv, etc.): Reference Part 4 (page 18) in the Candidate & Treasurer Guide to Navigating CERS
4. Disclose Debts
- Report Debts: Reference Part 5 in the Candidate & Treasurer Guide to Navigating CERS
5. Disclose Payments (on debts and loans)
- Report Payments (on campaign debts and loans) Reference Part 6 in the Candidate & Treasurer Guide to Navigating CERS
6. Guide to the COPP's Inspection and Exam Process of Campaign Finance Forms
- Inspection and Exam Process
- How to Amend a Campaign Finance Report: Reference Part 9, in the Candidate & Treasurer Guide to Navigating CERS
7. Closing out a Candidate Campaign Account
- Post-Election (Primary or General) Options for Campaign Accounts
This webpage covers: how to address surplus contributions, remaining debts, constituent services accounts, and how to close out a campaign after an election (for both primary and general elections).
8. Frequently Asked Questions and Tips for Using CERS
- I forgot my ePass login information. How do I regain access? Reference Part 12 in the in the Candidate & Treasurer Guide to Navigating CERS
- When does campaign campaign finance data in CERS become public? Reference Part 12 in the in the Candidate & Treasurer Guide to Navigating CERS- How do I include an addendum with a campaign finance report? Reference Part 12 in the Candidate & Treasurer Guide to Navigating CERS
BONUS INFO: Paid Communications
3. Report Due Dates and Event Calendar
4. Complaint Process, Decisions, Docket, and Public Information
5. Political signs: what is allowed? And how long can they be up? Attribution Information
What is the COPP's role with political signs? And what are the disclaimer requirements for political signs? (see the below information as a PDF)
When it comes to political signs, the COPP has jurisdiction only in upholding and enforcing ATTRIBUTION requirements. In other words, the only oversight over political signs that the COPP has is in ensuring the required “paid for by” attribution message is included, and that the expense is disclosed fully in a campaign finance report. The COPP does not have oversight over when citizens may begin to display political signs or when those signs must be taken down.
Attribution Information - Visit this page for information on PAID FOR BY, What must it include, FAQ, and Updated Non-Attributed Material
All paid campaign materials meant to support a candidate or ballot issue must include a “paid for by” attribution message disclosing the entity that financed the material. This includes—but is not limited to—campaign mailers, radio ads, yard signs, boosted Facebook or Instagram posts, etc. The ‘paid for by’ message must be large enough to be readable and must identify the entity who financed the communication and their listed mailing address. Attribution requirements vary between candidates and committees. For more information, familiarize yourself with attribution requirements and how to report paid political communications.
If the material is too small for the disclaimer to be included (e.g. with a text, keychain, etc.), a copy of the material and the attribution information must be sent to the COPP to be approved for use to avoid potential campaign practices complaints. This information is publicly accessible on the COPP’s website. For more details on non-attributed campaign communications, review this information. More guidance on the “paid for by” attribution requirements is available on the COPP’s website. See Mont. Code Ann 13-25-225 and 44.11.601(2) ARM for the full attribution requirements and applicability.
What is the role of local government in determining political sign timelines? (e.g. when signs can go up and must be taken down?)
The Office of Political Practices often receives phone inquiries regarding the timeline for placing political signs. As stated above, the COPP has no jurisdiction over when political signs may be displayed, and does not know the specific requirements for each Montana municipality. Local governments (I.e. a city council or county commission) are responsible for regulating when political signs may be placed and when they must be taken down. Contact your local city or county government for more information.
The Montana Department of Transportation is responsible for sign regulations along Montana roadways or right of way (see the below information for more details).
What is the role of the Montana Department of Transportation (MTDOT) in regulating the placement of political signs on Montana roadways?
(This information comes from a 2012 notices from the MTDOT's Right of Way Bureau)
Political campaign committees, and candidates are being reminded again about restrictions on where their signs can be placed. Signs on highway fences, utility poles, and otherwise on state right of way are not allowed and are being removed by Department of Transportation crews.
With landowner’s consent, political signs may be placed alongside the highway on privately owned land. Many signs are being placed in ditches or on the highway side of fences. State crews must remove them and store them until the owners can pick them up. Candidates, and their supporters should make sure their signs are placed on private property.
Federal law requires that any sign intended to be read from the highway must be regulated by the state. In Montana, as in other states, controlling signs is the responsibility of the Department of Transportation. Failure to control signs brings the threat of federal sanctions and can disrupt highway improvement projects.
It is unsafe, and illegal to drive or park in a ditch along a highway to install a sign on private property. Within 30 days following the applicable election the signs should be removed.
The candidates' cooperation in adhering to the regulations, and statutes will benefit the Department of Highways, and the taxpayers of Montana.
- Right of Way Bureau: (406) 444-6055, www.mdt.mt.gov/mdt/organization/precon.shtml
- Rob Stapley, Bureau Chief – 406-444-6063 / Gabe Priebe – Traffic and Safety Bureau Chief – 406-444-9252
What guidance do the Administrative Rules of Montana offer on political signs (see 18.6.246, ARM)?
6. Candidate Frequently Asked Questions (File a Statement of Candidate, political signage guidance, fundraisers, etc.)
A: Candidates seeking election to a city office must file a C-1A Statement of Candidate with the COPP in CERS (reference this resource to file a Statement of Candidate) to appear on an official election ballot. The C-1A Statement of Candidate must be filed “within five (5) days after receiving or spending money, appointing a campaign treasurer, or filing for office, whichever occurs first.” There is no charge or filing fee to register as a candidate with the COPP. Candidates must also file a Declaration for Nomination and Oath of Candidacy with their county elections administrator. Please visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information on how to file as a candidate for public office in the state of Montana.
Q4: When filling out the C-1A Statement of Candidate, it asks me to indicate if I am a ‘B’ or ‘C’ box candidate. What is the difference between a 'B' and 'C' box candidate?
Q7: My campaign is planning on holding a fundraiser in my community where contributions will be collected from the group. What are the specific reporting requirements?
Q8: My campaign plans on holding a raffle fundraiser, with various items donated to the campaign by local businesses serving as the prizes. What are reporting requirements?
Q9: Can my campaign accept a contribution from a business?
A: It depends. Simply, it will always be easiest for a candidate to accept a contribution from an individual, and not a business. For example, if Russell, who runs Russell's Paint Supplies Emporium, writes your campaign a check from their personal account (and not their business account), this is reported as an individual contribution.
If Russell gives a contribution from their business account, this would need to be reported in Schedule A as an individual business (under the "entity" dropdown tab) contribution. Russell's Paint Supplies Emporium must then file as an incidental committee by 1) filing in CERS as a C-2 Statement of Organization (the C-2 must be filed within five days of any of these activities: 1) appointing a campaign treasurer, or 2) making an expenditure to support or oppose a candidate or ballot issue). Russell's Paint Supplies Emporium must then also file period C-4 incidental committee finance reports. The C-4 discloses contributions received and expenditures made by incidental committees.
Again, accepting a contribution from a business requires the business to file as an incidental committee, so candidates should encourage their contributors to use personal checks.
Keep in mind that all corporate contributions, under any condition, are illegal for a candidate to accept. While corporations and unions are allowed to make independent expenditures related to a candidate, they are prohibited from making direct, in-kind, or coordinated contributions to a candidate, 13-35-227, MCA. Earmarked contributions by a corporation or union to a person as a contribution designated for a candidate’s campaign are also prohibited.
If your campaign inadvertently accepted a corporate contribution, the funds must be returned immediately upon discovery. To disclose this in CERS, the contribution would be reported as a business contribution in Schedule A, and then the amount is cancelled out by noting the amount refunded in Schedule B as an expenditure. A photocopy of the refund should be emailed promptly to the COPP at cppcompliance@mt.gov.
More information about illegal contributions (e.g. corporate and union contributions) is detailed on page 15 of the Accounting and Reporting Manual for Candidates and Treasurers.
Q10: I forgot my ePass login information or I cannot access CERS with my new ePass account. How do I regain access to my CERS profile?
8. Have a question? Contact us!
Committee & Treasurer Campaign Finance Information
It is the candidate’s responsibility and obligation to understand and comply with all Montana campaign finance laws. While COPP staff is available to provide information and support to all candidates and treasurers, again, it is the candidate who is responsible for ensuring the campaign complies with all campaign finance requirements. This section outlines 1) MCA and ARM campaign finance laws that committees should be familiar with, 2) basic COPP campaign finance resources for committees, and (BONUS!) 3) ethics and lobbying laws and guidance.
- The Committee & Treasurer Guide to Navigating CERS
2. Types of Committees
Both statewide and local ballot issue committees must file a Form C-2, Statement of Organization, with the COPP within five days after the issue becomes a ballot issue, 13-37-201, MCA. A ballot issue committee's initial Form C-6, Political Committee Finance Report must include all contributions received and expenditures made by the committee since its date of foundation to qualify the issue for the ballot, 13-37-226, MCA.
3. Committee Campaign Finance Resources, Guides, and Graphics
1. Getting Started: File a Statement of Organization and Navigate CERS
1. Reference and familiarize yourself with the Montana Campaign Finance and Practices Laws (Blue Book).
2. Reference and familiarize yourself with the Accounting and Reporting Manual for Political Committees & Treasurers (Pink Book).
3. File a Statement of Organization in CERS (Reference Part 1 in the Committee & Treasurer Guide to Navigating CERS)
4. Create a Campaign Finance Report (Reference Part 2 in the Committee & Treasurer Guide to Navigating CERS)
2. Disclose Contributions
- Add in Contributions: Reference Part 3 in in the Committee & Treasurer Guide to Navigating CERS
- Reporting Fundraising Contributions: Reference Part 3 in the Committee & Treasurer Guide to Navigating CERS
- Illegal Contributions: Reference Part 3 in the Committee & Treasurer Guide to Navigating CERS
3. Disclose Expenditures
- Report Expenditures: Reference Part 4 in the Committee & Treasurer Guide to Navigating CERS
- Report Independent Expenditures: Reference Part 4, page 18 in the Committee & Treasurer Guide to Navigating CERS
- Guide: How to Report Paid Communications (i.e. social media ads, yard signs, mailers, newspaper ads, Spotify ads, etc.)
- Attribution Information for Paid Communications (Paid for By requirements), Non-Attributed Materials, Graphic on Reporting Social Media Expenditures
- Common Expenditure Reporting Errors (e.g. ActBlue/Revv and other vendor fees, gas and mileage, consultant fees, etc.): Reference Part 4, page 22 in the Committee & Treasurer Guide to Navigating CERS
- Report Debts: Reference Part 5 in the Committee & Treasurer Guide to Navigating CERS
- Report payments on campaign debts and loans: Reference Part 6 in the Committee & Treasurer Guide to Navigating CERS
7. Frequently Asked Questions and Tips for Using CERS
- I forgot my ePass login information. How do I regain access? Reference Part 11 in the Committee & Treasurer Guide to Navigating CERS
- When does campaign campaign finance data in CERS become public? Reference Part 11 in the Committee & Treasurer Guide to Navigating CERS- How do I include an addendum with a campaign finance report? Reference Part 11 in the Committee & Treasurer Guide to Navigating CERS
4. Committee Report Due Dates and Training/Events Calendar
5. Navigate the CERS Campaign Finance System
All committees and treasurers should familiarize themselves with the Committee and Treasurer Guide to Navigating CERS, which covers:
Introduction to the Campaign Electronic Reporting System
Part 1: File a Statement of Organization in CERS
Part 3: Add Contributions
Part 4: Add Expenditures
Part 5: Add Debts
Part 6: Add Payments (on Debts and Loans)
Part 7: Summary Tab
Part 9: Campaign Finance Report Review Process
Part 10: Filing a Closing Report
Part 11: Frequently Asked Questions and Tips to Using CERS
Part 12: Campaign Finance Resources
6. Complaint Process, Decisions, Docket, and Public Information
7. Political signs: what is allowed? And how long can they be up?
8. Links of Interest and FAQs
9. Have a question? Contact the COPP!