Political fundraisers are usually a lot of fun for everyone involved. There is great camaraderie and it makes everyone feel important. Unfortunately, some campaigns find themselves in hot water when it comes to donations and getting the word out about their events. As the coordinator for a statewide political campaign, I am often asked to speak at political fundraisers in different cities and counties throughout my state. There are some things that I hope to share with you today that can help you as a political organizer and make your next fundraiser a success.
In many states, political campaigns must report any expenses to the appropriate regulatory agency. For example, in Washington State every candidate for office must file a report with the Washington State Ethics Commission on each expenditure of more than $100. These reports list the date that the item was purchased and the amount that was donated. Some campaigns even have to pay an additional filing fee if they have to file more than one report.
The first thing you need to do as a political organizer is to set up a project based around a local issue. In Washington State for instance, campaign organizers are required to file reports with the Washington State Ethics Commission within twenty-four hours of spending any monies from a political fundraiser. In addition, when a county clerk prepares the election materials that are used in any political fundraisers, the county clerk requires a statement of the purpose of the event and a copy of the receipt for the money that was raised at the event. If you are dealing with county offices that do not require these forms, you can download these forms from the internet.
The next thing you need to do as a political organizer is to secure the funding you will need before you ever begin to plan political fundraisers. In Washington State, there are strict rules governing how much money a donor may give to a candidate during an election cycle. Political fundraisers are generally only funded if the candidate receives a majority of the votes cast. If no one receives a majority, the funds from the fundraiser are kept by the candidate's campaign and used for their future projects. Therefore, if you want to ensure that you receive the maximum amount of money possible for your fundraising efforts, you will need to secure the donations in advance.
You will also need to register as a political fundraiser with the Maryland State Board of Elections. To find out what the requirements are in your county, you can visit the Maryland State Board of Elections website. Once you have registered as a fundraiser, you will be able to access the forms that you will need to fill out for your prospective donors. Once you have filled out these forms, you will be required to submit them to the county clerk of your county.
In summary, you must follow all of the necessary guidelines laid out by the Maryland State Board of Elections and the Maryland State Delegation of Funds to ensure that you receive the funds you have asked for in Maryland political fundraisers. Failure to do so will result in your request being denied. Now that you know all of the laws governing political fundraisers in the state of Maryland, you should feel comfortable preparing for your next fundraising event.
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