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Campaign finance agencies in Alabama

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In Alabama, there are two primary agencies involved in statewide campaign finance regulation: the Alabama Secretary of State and the Alabama Ethics Commission. The former oversees reporting requirements for candidates and political committees. The latter is authorized to investigate violations of the state's campaign finance laws. Both agencies can assess fines against candidates and committees who violate the law.[1][2]

See also: Campaign finance requirements in Alabama

Alabama Secretary of State

See also: Alabama Secretary of State

Authority

The Alabama Secretary of State serves as the state's primary elections official. In that capacity, the secretary of state administers campaign finance reporting requirements for candidates and political committees. Day-to-day responsibilities are delegated to the Elections Division of the state department.[1]

In 2015, lawmakers passed legislation that authorized the secretary of state to assess fines against candidates and committees who fail to file campaign finance reports on time. These fines were set to take effect in 2018.[2]


Electronic reporting system

See also: Campaign finance requirements in Alabama

The Alabama Electronic Fair Campaign Practices Act of 2011 required the Elections Division to develop an online campaign finance reporting system for political candidates and political action committees. This reporting system "contains detailed financial records and related information that candidates and political action committees are required by law to disclose."[3] The campaign finance reporting system can be accessed here.[3]


Alabama Ethics Commission

Authority

State lawmakers passed legislation in 2015 that authorized the Alabama Ethics Commission to investigate violations of the state's campaign finance laws. The legislation granted the commission subpoena power. In addition, the legislation authorized the commission to assess fines against candidates and political committees "who file 'materially inaccurate'" campaign finance reports. These fines were set to take effect beginning in 2018.[2]


Contact information

Alabama Secretary of State, Elections Division

State Capitol Building, Suite E-206
600 Dexter Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36103
Telephone: 334-242-7210
Fax: 334-242-2444

Alabama Ethics Commission

100 North Union Street, Suite 104
Montgomery, AL 36104
Telephone: 334-242-2997
Fax: 334-242-0248
Email: info@ethics.alabama.gov

Recent news

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See also

State Executive Officials

External links

Footnotes