Campaign finance requirements for Indiana ballot measures
 in Indiana |
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Groups and individuals involved in ballot measure campaigns in Indiana 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]
| In Indiana, political action committees supporting or opposing a ballot measure must register with the Indiana Election Division. Committees may accept unlimited contributions and may make unlimited expenditures on behalf of their cause. |
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.
Ballot measures explained
- 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.
In Indiana, ballot measures come in only one form: legislatively referred constitutional amendments.
Organizational requirements
In Indiana, a group intending to influence the outcome of a ballot measure must organize as a political action committee (PAC). State law defines a political action committee as "an organization located within or outside Indiana that (1) proposes to influence ... the outcome of a public question that will appear on the ballot in Indiana, and (2) accepts contributions or makes expenditures during a calendar year that in the aggregate exceed $100."[3][4][5]
Every political action committee must have a chairperson and a treasurer. Within 10 days of organizing, the committee must file a statement of organization with Indiana's secretary of state. This form must state the committee's purpose and must be signed by both the chairperson and treasurer of the committee.[3][4]
See form: CFA-2, Political Action Committee Statement of Organization
Contribution limits
According to the Indiana Election Division, "the most significant limitations on contributions contained in the Campaign Finance Act apply to corporations, labor organizations, state legislative candidates, certain judges, and certain state employees." Existing contribution limits for corporations and labor organizations do not apply to contributions made to political action committees.[3][6]
Political action committees are not required to adhere to any contribution limits; as such, a committee may donate unlimited sums to other candidates or committees. Committees are also not required to abide by spending limits; a committee may spend unlimited sums of money to influence the outcome of a ballot measure election.[3]
Reporting requirements
A political action committee is generally required by Indiana law to file three financial disclosure reports per calendar year in which the committee is active. These reports detail the committee's receipts and expenditures.[3][7]
- A pre-primary report covers the period beginning January 1 of the reporting year and ending 25 days prior to the primary election.
- A pre-election report covers the period beginning 24 days prior to the primary election and ending 25 days prior to the general election.
- An annual report covers the period beginning 24 days prior to the general election and ending December 31 of the reporting year.
For contributions exceeding $100 in aggregate during a calendar year, a committee must report the name and address of the donor. Likewise, for expenditures exceeding $100 in aggregate during a calendar year, a committee must report the name and address of the recipient.[3]
Upon disbanding, a political action committee must file a final disclosure report. This report covers the period beginning with the end of the most recent reporting period and ending on the date of the committee's disbandment. A committee's final report must be filed no later than 30 days following the committee's termination.[8]
All campaign finance reports for statewide ballot measure committees must be filed with the Indiana Election Division. Filed reports are made available to the public by the Indiana Election Division; see this website for further details.
Year-specific reporting dates
2021
The table below lists campaign finance report filing deadlines for political action committees in Indiana in 2021.
| Campaign finance reporting deadlines in Indiana, 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Report | Reporting period | Filing deadline |
| 2020 annual report | October 10, 2020–December 31, 2020 | January 20, 2021 |
| 2021 annual report | January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021 | January 19, 2022 |
| Source: IN.gov, "2021-2022 State of Indiana Campaign Finance Reporting Schedule," accessed July 13, 2021 | ||
2015
The table below lists campaign finance report filing deadlines for political action committees in Indiana in 2015.[9]
| Campaign finance reporting deadlines in Indiana, 2015 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Report | Reporting period | Filing deadline |
| 2014 annual report | October 11, 2014–December 31, 2014 | January 21, 2015 |
| 2015 pre-primary report | January 1, 2015–April 10, 2015 | April 17, 2015 |
| 2015 primary election supplemental report | April 11, 2015–May 3, 2015 | Within 48 hours of receipt of "large contributions" |
| 2015 pre-election report | April 11, 2015–October 9, 2015 | October 16, 2015 |
| 2015 municipal election supplemental report | October 10, 2015–November 1, 2015 | Within 48 hours of receipt of "large contributions" |
| 2015 annual report | October 10, 2015–December 31, 2015 | January 20, 2016 |
| Source: IN.gov, "2015-2016 Reporting Schedule," accessed November 17, 2015 | ||
State agencies
- See also: Campaign finance agencies in Indiana
In Indiana, there are two primary agencies involved in campaign finance regulation: the Election Division of the Office of the Indiana Secretary of State and the Indiana Election Commission. The former, in concert with local boards of election, is responsible for administering the state's campaign finance law. The latter is authorized to investigate alleged violations of the law and impose civil penalties against violators.
- Indiana Secretary of State, Election Division and Indiana Election Commission
- 302 West Washington Street, Room E-204
- Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
- Telephone: 317-232-3939
- Email: elections@iec.in.gov
Campaign finance legislation
The following is a list of recent campaign finance bills that have been introduced in or passed by the Indiana 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 Indiana campaign finance. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
- Campaign finance requirements in Indiana
- Campaign finance agencies in Indiana
- List of Indiana ballot measures
External links
Additional reading
Footnotes
- ↑ Institute for Free Speech, "Money in Politics," accessed September 4, 2017
- ↑ Brennan Center for Justice, "Money in Politics," accessed September 4, 2017
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 IN.gov, "2015 Indiana Campaign Finance Manual," accessed November 17, 2015
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 IN.gov, "CFA-2, Political Action Committee or Legislative Caucus Committee Statement of Organization," accessed November 17, 2015
- ↑ Indiana Code, "Title 3, Article 5, Chapter 2, Section 37," accessed November 18, 2015
- ↑ Indiana Code, "Title 3, Article 9, Chapter 2, Section 6," accessed November 18, 2015
- ↑ Indiana Code, "Title 3, Article 9, Chapter 5, Section 7," accessed November 18, 2015
- ↑ Indiana Code, "Title 3, Article 9, Chapter 5, Section 11," accessed November 18, 2015
- ↑ IN.gov, "2015-2016 Reporting Schedule," accessed November 17, 2015
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