Political candidates must have campaign treasurer
As election season nears, the election office is cautioning prospective candidates who are getting an early jump on their candidacy not to go astray of campaign finance laws.
Specifically, Election Administrator Donna Yates said candidates need to set up a treasurer before they spend any money.
“They need a treasurer listed with our office even if they are spending only their own money,” Yates said. “The bottom line is that before any money is spent on advertising, campaign materials, or anything to do with a race, there needs to be a treasurer in place.”
Yates said a treasurer can be the candidate or it can be another person they designate. The treasurer, however, will be responsible, along with the candidate, for keeping up with donations and spending so a routine report can be made to the election office every few months.
In addition to the treasurer, Yates said it is important for a candidate to open a separate account to keep campaign funds separate from personal funds.
“You can’t co-mingle funds,” Yates said. “It’s imperative money not be deposited from donations until that separate account is set up.”
Yates said candidates follow the law for the most part, although some newcomers may not be educated on the campaign finance laws.
“If a person is spending any money on a campaign and doesn’t have a treasurer, they are technically in violation of the law,” Yates said, noting her office generally will inform the candidate of the violation.
Qualifying papers for the local elections will become available in November, qualifying deadline is in February and the primaries are in May.