Elections: Campaign Finance

Act No. 73 of the Acts of the 2010 General Assembly, effective April 7, 2010, contains changes to the filing dates for campaign finance disclosure reports. The new dates are listed under the Quick Links box on this page.

August 17, 2010 Campaign Finance Disclosure Reports (PDFs)

July 15, 2010 Campaign Finance Disclosure Reports (PDFs)

July 15, 2009 Campaign Finance Disclosure Reports (PDFs)

For information on Vermont's campaign finance law, click here or consult the Secretary of State's Campaign Finance Guide below.

Click here to see an overview of the current Contribution Limits

Campaign Finance Reporting Dates and Forms
For statewide and legislative candidates, PACs and parties, the next campaign finance report is due July 15, 2010. Original copies of the disclosure report(s) must be filed with the Elections Division. Faxed or emailed copies of the report will not be accepted.

Candidates for state senate or state representative file the original with the office of the Vermont Secretary of State and a copy with the candidate's district clerk (where petitions were filed).

Instructions for campaign finance reporting.

If you need to file a final campaign finance disclosure, please use the appropriate form below.
Campaign Finance Disclosure Form - CANDIDATES (Word)
Campaign Finance Disclosure Form - PACs and PARTIES (Word)

Details of Contributions Over $100 (Excel)
Details of Expenditures (Excel)
Details of Debt Discharged (Excel)

You can also download pdf versions of either the candidate or PAC/Party form, including all detail sheets, below.
Campaign Finance Disclosure Form - CANDIDATES (pdf)
Campaign Finance Disclosure Form - PACs and Parties (pdf)

All contributions received and expenditures made before 5 p.m. on the third day prior to the filing deadline must be included in this report.

Mass Media Report:
To be filed by any person who makes an expenditure for any one mass media activity totaling $500 or more within 30 days of a primary or general election within 24 hours of the expenditure or activity. A copy of the report must also be filed with the candidate or candidates whose name or likeness is included in the activity.
Mass Media Report Form - PDF
Mass Media Report Form - Word

Bank Designation and Treasurer Appointment Form:
There is no "registration" form in Vermont. This is the form that must be filed as soon as $500 or more has been spent or raised by a candidate. Political committees must file this form as soon as they have raised AND spent $500.
Bank Designation and Treasurer Appointment Form (Word)
Bank Designation and Treasurer Appointment Form (pdf)

2008 Campaign Finance Guide
PDF file
Word document

The 2008 Campaign Finance Guide has been updated with changes from 2010; however, a revised guide will be available shortly.

Vermont Political Action Committees (PACs):
VT PAC List, 2009-10(Excel spreadsheet)
VT PAC List, 2009-10(PDF)

VT PAC List, 2007-08(Excel spreadsheet)
VT PAC List 2007-08 (PDF)
Alphabetical lists of Political Action Committees in the 2009-10 cycle as well as 2007-08. Details are provided for PACs that filed a Bank Designation & Treasurer Appointment. A separate page of the same spreadsheet is also provided to show PACs that have filed campaign finance disclosure forms in the 2009-10 or 2007-08 cycles. Information on PACs that had previously filed will be updated in the future.

Citizens United v. FEC
The Office of the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Vermont Attorney General's Office, has concluded that the requirements of Vermont's campaign finance law are not affected by the decision of the United States Supreme Court in Citizens United v. FEC. Vermont's statutory scheme of campaign finance disclosure and reporting should remain intact.

To see the Supreme Court's decision click here: Citizens United v. FEC.

LOCAL CANDIDATES
Click here for information on campaign finance disclosure requirements for local elections.

Campaign Finance Disclosure form for Local Candidates (Word)
The following pages should be downloaded as needed, or you can download the entire form in pdf format below.
Details of Expenditures (Excel)
Details of Contributions Over $100 (Excel)
Details of Debt (Excel)

Campaign Finance Disclosure form for Local Candidates (pdf)
(Includes all detail sheets.)

Report to the Vermont General Assembly on the Design, Cost and Timeline for Filing Digital Campaign Finance Disclosure Reports.

Vermont Public Finance Grants for Governor and Lieutenant Governor:
Summary of Eligibility and Requirements and history of use since 2000.

View Summary Reports of Campaign Finance Contributions and Expenditures for Candidates, Political Parties or Political Action Committees 

Historical Campaign Finance Information from the State Archives

If you have questions, contact David Crossman by email or at (802) 828-0771.

View/Search Campaign Finance Disclosure Reports View contribution and expenditure totals of candidates, PACs and parties. Search statewide candidate disclosure reports. View images of the disclosure reports of senate and house candidates, political committee and political parties. 2010 Campaign Finance Filing Dates: July 15, 2010 August 17, 2010* September 15, 2010 October 15, 2010 November 15, 2010 December 15, 2010 Please note that these filing deadlines are different than previous years. COUNTY CANDIDATES: (Probate judge, assistant judge, state's attorney, sheriff, and high bailiff) County candidates file reports only on the following dates: August 17, 2010 October 25, 2010 December 13, 2010 (final report of 2009-2010 cycle) The August campaign filing deadline is Tuesday, August 17th before 5:00 p.m. This report must contain all contributions and expenditures received or spent from the last report until 5:00 p.m. Saturday, August 14th (5:00 p.m. on the third day prior to the filing deadline.)