Question about using campaign funds.

[trof]

I'm working on a campaign for a candidate for city council.
I can find much info about eligible contributions and reporting of same, but very little about what are approved expenditures.

I know nothing can go to the candidate personally, or to the candidate's personal expenses.
But can campaign donations be used for an election night celebration or some similar victory celebration?

Thanks.

[TechBear_Seattle]

1. An awful lot depends on local laws

The information you are looking for should be mentioned in the municipal code for your city. If not, your state likely has that information in the state statutes. In Washington, such matters fall under the Revised Code of Washington Title 42 "Public officers and agencies", Chapter 17 "Disclosure — campaign finances — lobbying." RCW 42.17.020(22) states:

"Expenditure" includes a payment, contribution, subscription, distribution, loan, advance, deposit, or gift of money or anything of value, and includes a contract, promise, or agreement, whether or not legally enforceable, to make an expenditure. The term "expenditure" also includes a promise to pay, a payment, or a transfer of anything of value in exchange for goods, services, property, facilities, or anything of value for the purpose of assisting, benefiting, or honoring any public official or candidate, or assisting in furthering or opposing any election campaign. For the purposes of this chapter, agreements to make expenditures, contracts, and promises to pay may be reported as estimated obligations until actual payment is made. The term "expenditure" shall not include the partial or complete repayment by a candidate or political committee of the principal of a loan, the receipt of which loan has been properly reported.

RCW 42.17.020(28) gives a lengthy definition of "independent expenditure" which is too long to quote, but you can find the whole of section 020 here. Again, these are for Washington elections which operate under state law.

[trof]

2. Our local elections are governed by the secretary of state's office.

More or less.
And the state ethics commission.
There's all kinds of stuff about reporting campaign donations and expenditures.
And it's clear that no campaign funds can go directly to the candidate for non campaign stuff.
I think we're OK spending for a victory celebration.

Our sec. state is a notorious rigth-wing fundie (what else is new in Alabama?) who manages to bury that info on her website so that it's practically impossible to find.

Basically you have to read through the Alabama Code and try and find what you're looking for.

[LiberalFighter]

3. Self Purged

[LiberalFighter]

4. Contact your County and/or State Party for advice

(4) EXPENDITURE.

a. The following shall be considered expenditures:

1. A purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit, or gift of money or anything of value made for the purpose of influencing the result of an election.

2. A contract or agreement to make any purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit, or gift of money or anything of value, for the purpose of influencing the result of an election.

3. The transfer, gift, or contribution of funds of a political committee to another political committee.

b. The term "expenditure" does not include:

1. Any news story, commentary, or editorial prepared by and distributed through the facilities of any broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine, or other periodical publication, unless the facilities are owned or controlled by any political party or political committee.

2. Nonpartisan activity designed to encourage individuals to register to vote, or to vote.

3. Any communication by any membership organization to its members or by a corporation to its stockholders and employees if the membership organization or corporation is not organized primarily for the purpose of influencing the result of an election.

4. The use of real or personal property and the cost of invitations, food, or beverages, voluntarily provided by an individual in rendering voluntary personal services on the individual's residential or business premises for election-related activities.

5. Any unreimbursed payment for travel expenses made by an individual who, on his or her own behalf, volunteers personal services to a candidate or political committee.

6. Any communication by any person which is not made for the purposes of influencing the result of an election.

7. The payment by a state or local committee of a political party of the cost of preparation, display, or mailing or other distribution incurred by the committee with respect to a printed slate card or sample ballot, or other printed listing of two or more candidates for any public office for which an election is held in the state, except that this subparagraph shall not apply in the case of costs incurred by the committee with respect to a display of the listing made on broadcasting stations, or in newspapers, magazines, or other similar types of general public political advertising.

[LiberalFighter]

5. Do you file campaign finance with state or county?

If county then contact the county election board or equivalent.