Virginia Leadership Institute Political Fundraising

Virginia Campaign Finance LawKedric L. Payne

November 7, 2009

Establishing A Candidate Committee

Statement of Organization • A candidate must file a Statement of

Organization within 10 days of: • Receiving any campaign contributions• Spending any money on the

campaign; or• Filing a certificate of candidate

qualification or declaration of candidacy form

Requirements for Candidate Committee• Committee must have bank account that

is located in Virginia.• Bank will typically require Committee to

have tax ID (EIN).• Committee must have a treasurer who is

a registered voter in Virginia

Filing Statement of Organization

• Statement of Organization is filed with different entities depending on the office sought

• Statewide Candidate – File with State BOE• General Assembly – File with State BOE and

City or County of Residence• Local Office – File with City or County of

Residence

Soliciting Contributions

Contribution Limits

• VA law does not limit the amount of contributions a candidate may receive

• May receive contributions from an individual, corporation, union, association, or partnership

• Prohibited Donors: foreign nationals and foreign corporations

Donor Information

• Contributions exceeding $100/election from a donor must be itemized

• The following information should be collected for each donor:

– Name– Address– Occupation, Employer, Location– If contributor is a political committee, type of committee and

location– Date contribution received– Amount of contribution– Contributor’s total contributions to Date

• Solicitation form

Filing Periodic Reports

Filing Periodic Reports

• Content of Report– Receipts (Contributions, Rebates, Refunds,

Interest, Loans)– Disbursements (Expenditures, Loans, Surplus

Funds)– Outstanding Debts

• Report Due Date– Due dates vary based on the date of the

election