Local Government Offices

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. Must be filed with 48-hours of receiving the contribution.

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.  

Late Fees

If a campaign finance report or statement of interests is not filed by the filing deadline, late fees may be assessed by the filing officer under NDCC § 16.1-08.1-06.1. 

  • If filed within 6 days after the due date - $25
  • If filed within 11 days after the due date - $50
  • If filed 12 or more days after the due date - $100

Amendment Fees

A filing officer may require an amendment be filed for any statement that is incorrect or incomplete NDCC § 16.1-08.1-06.1. The amendment must be filed with the fling officer within 10 business days after the amendment has been requested in writing. If an amendment is not filed within the 10 day period, the filing officer may charge and collect a late fee. 

  • 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 - $200
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 less than 5,000)

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

City Office (population of 5,000 or more)

  • 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 (enrollment of less than 1,000 students)

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

School Board (enrollment of 1,000 students or more)

  • 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 Elected Office above.