TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY REGARDING CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES; TO AMEND CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTING AND PROTECT ELECTION INTEGRITY; AND TO AMEND PORTIONS OF INITIATED ACT 1 OF 1996.

New campaign reporting rules for Arkansas candidates

Arkansas school district, township, municipal, and county candidates must report campaign money received and spent to the Secretary of State. In years when candidates may appear on a ballot, monthly reporting generally starts in January. Reports are due within 20 days after each month ends. Months covered by required preelection or final reports do not need separate monthly reports. Candidates with neither contributions nor spending above $500 can skip preelection reports. Candidates with contributions or spending above $500, but neither above $5,000, file only preelection and final reports. Filing fees paid from candidates’ personal money do not count toward these thresholds. Only candidates with opponents must file preelection reports. These reports are due seven days before the election and cover activity since the previous report through ten days before voting. Runoff reports cover activity through ten days before the runoff. Candidates appearing on a ballot must file final reports, even when campaign activity does not exceed $500. Final reports cover all previously unreported activity and are due within 20 days after the month following the election month ends. County candidates must also file final reports when only one candidate qualifies and the unopposed candidate is left off the ballot. Candidates who withdraw must notify the Secretary of State in writing. Their final reports are due within 30 days after the withdrawal month ends. In years with no election for the office sought, annual reports are due December 31. Candidates keeping leftover funds can skip a separate fourth-quarter report if they have no activity before year-end. Fundraising or spending for future campaigns, officeholder expenses, or other future-election activity keeps reporting duties in place.