Campaign finance requirements for Delaware ballot measures
 in Delaware |
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Groups and individuals involved in ballot measure campaigns in Delaware must adhere to the state's campaign finance laws. These laws regulate the amounts and sources of money given or received for political purposes; in addition, campaign finance laws stipulate disclosure requirements for political contributions and expenditures.
Proponents of more stringent regulations and disclosure requirements, such as the Brennan Center for Justice, claim that current laws do not go far enough to mitigate corruption and the influence of undisclosed special interests. Others, such as the Institute for Free Speech, argue that strict disclosure requirements and contribution limits impinge upon the rights to privacy and free expression.[1][2]
| Delaware does not permit citizen initiative, referendum or recall. Delaware defines all groups acting in support of or opposition to a ballot measure as political action committees (PACs). |
The laws and regulations that apply to ballot measure campaigns may differ from those that apply to candidates for political office. To learn more about campaign finance requirements for candidates, see this article.
Delaware ballot measures
- See also: Ballot measure
A ballot measure is any question or issue that appears on an election ballot to be approved or rejected by voters. In 26 states, plus Washington, D.C., citizens may use the initiative and referendum process, which permits citizens to petition to place measures on the ballot and usually involves a signature collection process of some kind. Even in states without initiative and referendum processes, however, ballot measures exist. In all states, citizens may be asked to approve legislatively referred constitutional amendments, state statutes, bond issues or tax proposals.
Delaware does not allow citizen initiative, referendum or recall. Only two advisory questions have been put before the people of Delaware. Both related to issues of gambling in the state.
Organizational requirements
Delaware defines all groups acting in support of or opposition to a ballot measure as political action committees (PACs). All PACs must file a statement of organization with the Commissioner of Elections no later than 24 hours after receiving contributions or making expenditures that exceed $500 . A PAC that has completed its activities and paid off its creditors can dissolve at any time. All surplus funds can be donated to a charity or a fire district.[3][4]
See form: PAC registration Political Action Committee Registration Form
Contribution limits
There are generally no contribution limits to PACs that support or oppose a ballot measure. However, under state law, state and local political party committees cannot contribute to PACs that support or oppose ballot measures. Cash contributions are limited to $50. PACs must disclose the names and addresses of contributors.[5]
Reporting requirements
Delaware uses a semiannual reporting system. PACs must file two pre-election reports and an annual report. In these reports, PACs must report all contributions received and itemize any expenditure over $100.[6]
- 30-day pre-election report: This report covers all campaign finance activity during the period beginning when a referendum first qualifies for the ballot and ending 30 days before the election. It is due 28 days before the election.
- Eight-day pre-election report: This report covers all campaign finance activity during the period beginning on the 29th day before the election and ending on the eighth day before the election. It is due six days before the election.
Year-end report: This report covers all campaign finance activity from November 1 to December 31. It is due January 20 in the year following the election.
Year-specific reporting dates
2016
The table below lists relevant campaign finance report filing deadlines in Delaware in 2016.
| Campaign finance reporting deadlines in Delaware, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Report | Reporting period | Filing deadline |
| 30-day primary report | January 1, 2016 - August 14, 2016 | August 16, 2016 |
| Eight-day primary report | August 15, 2016 - September 5, 2016 | September 7, 2016 |
| 30-day general report | September 6, 2016 - October 9, 2016 | October 11, 2016 |
| Eight-day general report | October 10, 2016 - October 31, 2016 | November 2, 2016 |
| Annual report | November 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016 | January 20, 2017 |
| Source: State of Delaware, "Campaign Finance Reporting Periods 2016," accessed December 14, 2015 | ||
State agencies
- See also: Campaign finance agencies in Delaware
In Delaware, there are two primary agencies involved in campaign finance regulation: the Delaware Department of Elections and the Delaware Attorney General. The former oversees the campaign finance reporting process and enacts and enforces necessary regulations. The latter prosecutes criminal violations of the law
Delaware Department of Elections
- 905 S. Governors Ave., Suite 170
- Dover, Delaware 19904
- Telephone: (302) 739-4277
- Email: coe_vote@state.de.us
Delaware Attorney General, Criminal Division
- 820 N. French St.
- Wilmington, Delaware 19801
- Telephone: (302) 577-8400
- Email: Attorney.General@state.de.us
Campaign finance legislation
The following is a list of recent campaign finance bills that have been introduced in or passed by the Delaware state legislature. To learn more about each of these bills, click the bill title. This information is provided by BillTrack50 and LegiScan.
Note: Due to the nature of the sorting process used to generate this list, some results may not be relevant to the topic. If no bills are displayed below, no legislation pertaining to this topic has been introduced in the legislature recently.
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Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Delaware campaign finance. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
- Campaign finance requirements in Delaware
- Campaign finance agencies in Delaware
- List of Delaware ballot measures
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Institute for Free Speech, "Money in Politics," accessed September 4, 2017
- ↑ Brennan Center for Justice, "Money in Politics," accessed September 4, 2017
- ↑ State of Delaware, "§ 8002 Definitions," accessed December 14, 2015
- ↑ State of Delaware, "§ 8022 Leftover funds," accessed December 14, 2015
- ↑ State of Delaware, "§ 8012 Contribution limits generally," accessed December 14, 2015
- ↑ State of Delaware, "§ 8030 Reports of political committees," accessed December 14, 2015
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