1. Click on the top menu button "Campaign Finance Filers", then choose "Begin Filing Session". This opens a screen showing "Generate Reports." Click on the appropriate link to generate the desired set of reports. You may generate one set of each type of reports.
2. Your schedule of required reports is displayed on the screen. It includes a tracking number (internal number), a description of each required report with the due date, the status and the date created.

In addition to your required schedule of reports, you may also file the following online:

• Statement of Organization
• Report of Independent Expenditure for Candidates
• 48-Hour Report of Reportable Contributions
• Authorized Judicial Political Committee Report of Loans or Extensions of Credit
• Waiver Request Form
• Termination Report

These templates are Excel spreadsheets designed for you to record your contribution and expenditure information and then upload the spreadsheet into the required Report. This is an alternate way of entering the data into the Campaign Finance system. It allows the user to record contributions and expenditures over a period of time and then when it is time to file a required report, the user can upload the spreadsheet into the system.

There are two ways to know you have an upcoming report to file:

1. You will receive an email notification reminding you of the pending reporting deadline. It will state the report is due no later than 5:00 pm on the deadline date.
2. The “Required Filings” tab in your account lists all of the reports you are required to file based on the Office Sought details you entered in your Profile. In the Description column, you will see the report name and the required due date of the report. The Status column will show the report as “Not Filed.”

If you have started entering information on a report, you may click “Save Changes” at any time so you may save your work and access that report to complete and file at a later date. On the Required Filings screen, the status of this report will show "In Progress". When you are ready to work on the report again, you click the box next to the report and click on “Start/Resume/View Report” to open the report to continue entering information.

Yes, the system will provide a “preview report” for you to review prior to submission. You may also print out the report; however, you cannot submit a “preview” report. If a “preview” report is filed to meet a deadline, it will not be compliant and therefore you may be subject to the imposition of a civil penalty.

Reports must be filed by 5:00 p.m. on deadline dates whether filed online or on paper. Every report filed online will have a system-generated tracking number and a date and time stamp on the face of the report. If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the report is due at 5:00 p.m. on the first working day PRIOR to the weekend or holiday. Statutory deadline dates are indicated on the front of each reporting form Miss. Code Ann. It is the responsibility of the candidate or committee to make sure the report is delivered on time.

Campaign finance reports for initiatives are filed on a monthly basis, and the reports must be received by the tenth calendar day of the month following the month being reported.

The Secretary of State will continue to accept filing by mail, e-mail, or fax. However, we strongly encourage you to file your required reports using the new online Campaign Finance Reporting system.

• Candidate Name
• Committee Name
• Office
• Contributions
• Expenditures
• Late Filers Report

1. Click on the left menu item "Search." You will see 6 tabs across the screen.

• Candidate Name
• Committee Name
• Office
• Contributions
• Expenditures
• Late Filers Report

2. Click on the tab you wish to search. A screen displaying your search criteria opens.

3. Enter the data you want to search. Here are some helpful hits for searching:

• The less information you enter into the search criteria, the more records will be returned for your review. For example, if you enter part of a name or only the last name, more records will be returned than if you entered a specific first and last name.
• “Search” and “Clear” buttons are provided throughout the screens for your convenience. These buttons will work on the entire screen regardless of where you select them.
• Many of the search results can be downloaded to your computer. Look for the “Export to Excel” button.

What happens if I file some reports online and others on paper?
If you start entering your information online and then submit a paper report, the system cannot calculate your reporting period and aggregate year-to-date totals. However, you can update the previous period reporting column to reflect the amounts on the paper filed reports for the prior period's "Cash on Hand" balance and aggregate YTD for contributions and expenditures to enable the system to continue calculating your totals.

What are the required thresholds for reporting contributions and expenditures?
All candidates and political committees must itemize all contributions received and expenditures made which exceed $200.00 in the aggregate for the calendar year.

Where can I find additional information and law about Campaign Finance?
Click here to access the Campaign Finance Home Page