Campaign finance requirements for Kansas ballot measures

Campaign finance requirements for Kansas ballot measures are promulgated by the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission. The KGEC is the main administrative and reporting authority for campaign finance in the State of Kansas.

The KGEC maintains a disclosure database of all groups registered to support or oppose a ballot measure in the State of Kansas.

If any person feels a person or a committee violated Kansas campaign finance law, the first step is to file a complaint with the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission. It is up to the KGEC to determine the validity of the complaint and whether to investigate. If someone is found in violation of Kansas campaign finance law, the KGEC imposes a civil fine through civil court action in most cases. If any action involves criminal law violations or not in the KGEC's jurisdiction, all complaints are referred to the Attorney General.

General requirements

PAC designation

All groups in support or opposition of a ballot measure in Kansas are defined as Political Action Committees.

Statement of organization

Any PAC in support or opposition of a ballot measure must file a Statement of Organization within ten days of its formation.

Campaign finance requirements

Contribution limits

There are no contribution limits for PAC's registered in support or opposition of a ballot question.

The $300 in 11 days rule

Under a newly passed Kansas law, all PAC's must report all contributions of $300 or more within 24 hours to the Kansas Secretary of State in the last eleven days of the election.

Reporting requirements and reports

Kansas uses a semi-annual campaign finance reporting system for groups registered in support or opposition of a ballot question. Reports includes a seven month report, a pre-election report, and a cumulative annual report.

7 month report

The 7 month report is the first campaign finance report for PAC's influencing the passage or defeat of a ballot question. The report covers all campaign finance activity from January 1 to July 22, 2010. The report is due on July 26, 2010.

October 25 pre-election

The October 25 pre-election report is the only-pre-election report covering campaign finance activity from July 23 to October 21, 2010. The report is due on October 25, 2010.

Annual report

The annual report is a cumulative report that covers all campaign finance activity from January 1 to December 31, 2010. The due on January 10, 2011.

Campaign advertising restrictions

Under Kansas law, all campaign advertisements including print and internet advertisements must be charged at the same market value like other businesses are charged.

All advertisements must begin with "Paid for by" following by the person who is paying for the advertisements.

Terminating a committee

All PAC's must disburse all excess campaign funds and retire all debts and obligations before terminating. After meeting those two requirements, a termination report can be filed with the appropriate filing officer.

External links

• Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission Home Page
• Kansas campaign disclosure database