Candidate Prep: First Filing Deadline of 2017

Although it seems that the 2013 elections are barely finished, the CFB and candidates are gearing up for the first disclosure deadline of the 2017 election cycle. All candidates registered with the CFB — 19 candidates, so far — will file disclosure statements by Tuesday, July 15, detailing their campaigns’ financial activity through July 11.

Candidates who plan to join the public matching funds program must submit detailed documentation to demonstrate that their contributions are eligible to be matched. Keeping accurate, organized records today about contributions, loans, and bundlers will be crucial to successfully receiving public funds in 2017.

These best practices for organizing documents will help candidates prepare for Filing Day:

• Collect all documentation from the contributor when the contribution is made. For cash and money order contributions, make sure the contributor signs, dates and completes all fields on the contribution card.
• Don’t wait for Filing Day! Enter transactions into C-SMART as they happen. Record contributions before depositing them and don’t forget expenditures, including bank fees.
• Write the C-SMART transaction ID on each transaction document. Keep your copies of checks, money orders, credit card transactions and contribution cards in order according to the transaction ID.
• Make two copies. Keep one copy of all checks, money orders, credit card transactions and contribution cards; submit the second to the CFB. Contributions will not be eligible for matching funds if this documentation isn’t submitted -- along with the disclosure statement -- by the filing deadline.

Filing day is easier if you are updating your records and entering transactions in C-SMART regularly! And don’t forget, candidates may start filing as early as July 12.