Local Government

Medium

Candidates and officeholders serving in local government - county, city, school board, and park board - may have reporting requirements for:

Campaign finance reports and statements of interests are required at least annually for all local government filers. Individuals not on the ballot are required to do an annual filing each year. Greater reporting is required in election years for individuals who are on the ballot.

Medium

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 - see dates on Disclosure Calendar:

  • 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.

Disclosures 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)

Statement of interests reports are required annually for all filers. If an individual is running for local govenrment office, an additional statement of interests must be filed with candidacy paperwork.

  • Statement of Interest - Candidacy (Election Year)
  • Statement of Interest Annual  (Annual)

Disclosure deadlines for filing reports during the current cycle can also be found in the Disclosure Calendar.  

Medium

Forms to Complete

The following forms must be filled out and submitted to the appropriate local government filing officer by filing deadlines.

Filing officers for local government positions are:

  • County Auditor - County Offices including Garrison Diversion Conservancy, Soil Conservation, SW Water Authority
  • City Auditor – City Offices
  • School Business Manager - School Board Candidates
  • Park Board - File with the entity that oversees the park district - county or city

Resources

Refer to the following guides for the current election cycle’s deadlines for local government offices in filing these reports.

If candidates or officeholders fail to file a campaign finance report or statement of interests by the deadline, a late fee may be owed (NDCC 16.1-08.1 and 16.1-09).

Local Government Filing Requirements

Medium

Filing Officer: County Auditor

Required Filings:

  • Statement of Interests - Candidate Filing
  • Campaign Finance Pre-Primary (Election Year)
  • Campaign Finance Pre-General (Election Year)
  • Campaign Finance Year End (Annual)
  • Statement of Interests Annual (Annual)
  • Campaign Finance 48-Hour (if applicable) - Only needs to be filed if a contribution is received in excess of $500 after 39 days before the election.

Filing Officer: City Auditor

Required Filings:

City Office (population 5,000 or less)

  • Statement of Interests - Candidate Filing (Election Year)
  • Statement of Interests Annual (Annual)

City Office (population greater than 5,000)

  • Statement of Interests - Candidate Filing (Election Year)
  • Campaign Finance Pre-Primary (Election Year)
  • Campaign Finance Year End (Annual)
  • Statement of Interests Annual (Annual
  • 48-Hour (if applicable) - Only needs to be filed if a contribution is received in excess of $500 after 39 days before the election.

Filing Officer: School Business Manager

Required Filings:

School Board (district enrollment of 1,000 or less)

  • Statement of Interests - Candidate Filing
  • Statement of Interests Annual

School Board (district enrollment of greater than 1,000)

  • Statement of Interests - Candidate Filing
  • Campaign Finance Pre-Primary (Election Year)
  • Campaign Finance Year End (Annual)
  • Statement of Interests Annual (Annual)
  • 48-Hour (if applicable) - Only needs to be filed if a contribution is received in excess of $500 after 39 days before the election.

Filing Officer: City Auditor

Required Filings:

  • See required filings in City Office above.