Campaign Finance guide for candidates and officeholders who file with local filing authorities

According to Texas Election Law Title 15 (the "Fair Campaign Practices Act") the City Secretary's Office is responsible for receiving and providing access to Campaign Finance Reports from local candidates, officeholders, and political committees. It the responsibility of each candidate, officeholder, or committee to ensure that all required campaign finance documents and reports are filed, including (but not necessarily limited to) those listed below.

Candidates, officeholders, and political committees should familiarize themselves with the Texas Ethics Commission Campaign Finance Guide for Candidates and Officeholders Who File with Local Filing Authorities (PDF) (as well as the items listed in the "Texas Ethics Commission Campaign Finance Links" section below) to ensure that they are fulfilling these requirements.

The Texas Election Code requires Appointment of a Campaign Treasurer (Form CTA) for candidates and political committees to be filed with the Office of the City Secretary. This is a requirement even if you are filing under "Modified Reporting" or do not intend to accept campaign contributions or make campaign expenditures.

An opposed candidate in an upcoming election must file a Report of Contributions and Expenditures (PDF) (also linked below) 30 days and 8 days before the election. Each of these pre-election reports must be received by the City Secretary's Office (City Hall, 405 Municipal Drive) no later than the report due date. A person who has elected modified reporting and who remains eligible for modified reporting is not required to file these reports. See "Modified Reporting" on page 20 of the Texas Ethics Commission Campaign Finance Guide for Candidates and Officeholders Who File with Local Filing Authorities (PDF).

• Thursday, April 2, 2020, by 5:00 p.m. (30 days before the election)
• Friday, April 24, 2020, by 5:00 p.m. (8 days before the election)

Generally, candidates and officeholders are required to file a Campaign Finance Report of Contributions and Expenditures (FORM C/OH, also linked below) by January 15 and July 15 of each year. The reports filed on these dates are known as semiannual reports. These reports must be filed even if there is no activity to report for the period covered. An officeholder who selects modified reporting must still file semiannual reports.

If a filer expects to accept no further political contributions and to make no further political expenditures and if the filer expects to take no further action to get elected to a public office, the filer may file a final report. This is accomplished by completing a Report of Contributions and Expenditures (also linked below) that includes the last page (FORM C/OH - FR). This page should not be filed with earlier reports.

Texas Election Law is very specific in many areas and the following forms and publications are included in the candidate packet. A complete listing of the candidate packet is at the bottom of this page.  

Appointment of Campaign Treasurer by a Candidate (Form CTA - Instruction Guide)

• The CTA form is to be filed with the City Secretary. In accordance with Texas Law, you must designate a Campaign Treasurer before any funds can be expended and before candidate accepts campaign contributions. You may name yourself as treasurer.

Code of Fair Campaign Practices [Texas Ethics Commission] and Chapter 258 [Election Code]

• Your subscription to this Code is voluntary and if you elect to subscribe, the form should be filed with the City Secretary. 

Candidate/Officeholder Campaign Finance Report (Form C/OH - Instruction Guide)     

• These forms are to be filed with the City Secretary on dates specified on the form.
• There is a modified reporting statement for those candidates not planning to spend more than $500.00. Candidates are encouraged to pay close attention to their expense forms. Per Texas Law, these forms are considered public record.
• The Texas Ethics Commission is responsible for interpreting Campaign Finance Law (Title 15). You may direct questions about campaign finance law to the Ethics Commission at 512-463-5800. Information may also be accessed at the Ethics Commission website at www.ethics.state.tx.us.
  

Candidate/Officeholder Report of Unexpended Contributions (Form C/OH-UC - Instruction Guide) 
    
Correction Affidavit for Candidate/Officeholder (Form COR-C/OH)

Amendment to Appointment of Campaign Treasurer by a Candidate (Form ACTA - Instruction Guide)

• This form is to be filed at the end of the election or when you are no longer receiving or spending political contributions. The final report form is included with (Form C/OH) and is designated as form C/OH-FR. Please refer to the C/OH Instruction Guide, which explains how to complete this form.

Title 15 of the Texas Election Code by the Texas Ethics Commission

• This information pertains to the filing requirements of campaign expenditure reports. Title 15 also contains regulations on political advertising.

The above forms are filed with the City Secretary, and as such, the City Secretary serves only as the custodian of the records for the benefit and convenience of the public. The City Secretary does not have any duty to determine the sufficiency or timeliness of the statements and does not have the authority to refuse to accept a statement for filing on either of these grounds. If you have questions or concerns regarding campaign reporting please contact the Texas Ethics Commission at 512.463.5800.