What happens to unused election campaign funds? Can the candidate keep the money for personal use?
Posted on February 28th, 2010 by admin
Disposal of campaign funds vary from state to state, based on state law; and then the Federal government has a whole different set of laws.
Here in Florida, the following applies:
Local (County) government: Losers may return funds to contributors, donate to eligible 401(c)(3) charities, or pay themselves back. Winners may do the same, but also may create an "office" account where the money can be spent on things for the office that would not normally be provided by taxpayer monies
State candidates: Win, lose, or draw, they may roll the money over into an account for the next time they run for Statewide office.
Federal candidates: Those who lose Presidential bids, if they are sitting senators, congressmen, etc.; can roll the money over into their Senate (et al.) war chest. If you’ve run your campaign effectively, you shouldn’t have a bunch of money left over. You should have spent the lion’s share of it on advertising, media spots, etc. They can also return monies to contributors, pay themselves back for any personal funds used, or contribute to eligible charities.
February 28th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
No. They usually keep them for upcoming elections.
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February 28th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
The candidates cannot use the money for personal use. They can save it for the next campaign, give it to their party, return it to donors.
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February 28th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
No personal use! I think most use it for another time they run for something but it is not THEIR MONEY.
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February 28th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
They need to give them to charity.
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February 28th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
god some very angry americans here and need stop to stop blame game and realize if you want something we have pay thru taxes
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February 28th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
they used to back in the 80’s
now they have to use it for the next election, give it to another canidate or donate it
think most ends up with other canidates or parties
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February 28th, 2010 at 6:13 pm
No, they go to the party
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February 28th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
Disposal of campaign funds vary from state to state, based on state law; and then the Federal government has a whole different set of laws.
Here in Florida, the following applies:
Local (County) government: Losers may return funds to contributors, donate to eligible 401(c)(3) charities, or pay themselves back. Winners may do the same, but also may create an "office" account where the money can be spent on things for the office that would not normally be provided by taxpayer monies
State candidates: Win, lose, or draw, they may roll the money over into an account for the next time they run for Statewide office.
Federal candidates: Those who lose Presidential bids, if they are sitting senators, congressmen, etc.; can roll the money over into their Senate (et al.) war chest. If you’ve run your campaign effectively, you shouldn’t have a bunch of money left over. You should have spent the lion’s share of it on advertising, media spots, etc. They can also return monies to contributors, pay themselves back for any personal funds used, or contribute to eligible charities.
References :