Campaign finance disclosures provide public transparency into financial transactions made for political purposes in North Dakota.
All candidates, elected officeholders (including those appointed to elected roles), political parties, and organizations created for political purposes must report campaign finance information. Those required to file campaign finance disclosures include:
- Candidates
- Multi-Candidate Committees
- Political Action Committees (PACs)
- District Political Parties
- State Political Parties
- Initiated Petition Committees
- Ballot Measure Committees
- Individuals Making Independent Expenditures for Political Purposes
- Local Government Elected Offices - Learn more about requirements for local government filers
Additional information about campaign finance disclosure requirements can be found in NDCC § 16.1-08.1.
Note: Filers of campaign finance disclosures may also have requirements to file Statements of Interests.
Reports to File
Campaign finance reports are required at least annually for all filers. Individuals not on the ballot and committees are required to do an annual filing each year. Greater reporting is required in election years for individuals who are on the ballot and committees. Certain committee types also have specialized reporting that is required. More information on campaign finance requirements for each reporting type can be found in NDCC § 16.1-08.1.
The following reports are the primary reports filed for most campaign finance filers - view reporting due dates:
- Pre-Primary (Election Year)
- Pre-General (Election Year)
- Year End (Annual)
- 48-Hour (if applicable - Election Year) - Only needs to be filed if a contribution is received in excess of $500 after 39 days before the election.
Reports are required when:
- Contributions are received
- Expenditures are made for political purposes
- Balance remains in your campaign account
- You are an office holder (even if you have no contributions/expenditures)
View the reporting due dates for the current cycle.
Election Year – All Committees & Individuals on Ballot
REPORT | PERIOD COVERED | MUST BE FILED BY |
|---|---|---|
| Campaign Finance Pre-Primary | From January 1 of the election year through 40 days before the Primary Election | 39-32 days before the Primary Election |
| Campaign Finance Pre-General | From January 1 of the election year through 40 days before the General Election | 39-32 days before the General Election |
| Campaign Finance 48-Hour (as needed) | Only needs to be filed if a contribution is received in excess of $500 between 39 days and the day before the election | Report needs to be filed within 48 hours of receiving the contribution |
Each Year - All Filers
REPORT | PERIOD COVERED | MUST BE FILED BY |
|---|---|---|
| Campaign Finance Year-End | January 1 – December 31 | January 1-31 of the following year |
Late Fees
Filers who fail to file a campaign finance report by the deadline must pay a late fee.
- $25 - If filed within 6 days after the due date
- $50 - If filed within 11 days after the due date
- $100 - If filed 12 or more days after the due date
How to Register & File Reports
To register in the online Campaign Finance Reporting System, you must have a North Dakota Login, which is the statewide authentication system used for various state online services—you may already have one if you've used other state websites.
If you don't have a North Dakota Login, create one using the link on the first screen of one of the Campaign Finance Reporting System. For North Dakota Login issues, contact the North Dakota Information Technology Service Desk at 701-328-4470.